India called for greater regional unity on Wednesday to combat the threat of piracy in Asia’s busy shipping lanes as it hosted a 17-nation meeting of maritime security officials.
“India strongly believes that mutual collaboration alone is the most effective way of ensuring the security and safety of oceans,” Defence Minister AK Antony told heads of coastguard agencies from across Asia gathered in New Delhi.
“The Indian government remains committed to the security of the Indian Ocean region by implementing international relations and cooperative mechanisms with (Asian) nations.”
Officials at the four-day meeting include coastguard chiefs from Pakistan as well as from China and Japan.
The meeting comes amid warnings that Somali pirates – under pressure from navies trying to combat their hijackings off east Africa – could try to extend their range into the Indian Ocean. Pirates pose particular problems for the Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago of 1,192 tiny coral islands best known for its upmarket beach resorts.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2012.
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West can attack and destroy Iraq and Afghanistan, how come they not manage pirates of Africa. Infact Western powers use these kind of conflicts to invade into seas and lands of others. As India is dreaming of becoming super power so now they start talking about pirates and Indian Ocean as it is responsibility of India