Indian Calls

Somali pirates are posing ever increasing challenges to India, disrupting its trade, capturing its seafarers, attacking closer to its shores and the nation is being forced to step up its security efforts.

India is stepping up and flexing its military muscles, deploying more naval ships, negotiating with hijackers and coordinating with vessel owners and other countries.

However, as part of a twin track approach, the Indian delegation has used the IMO MSC meeting to express the need for a UN-led anti-piracy force off Somalia and other piracy-affected regions to reinforce the efforts of the littoral states affected by the scourge.

‘A UN-led naval force could provide a more equitable, efficient and better co-ordinated protection to all ships, notwithstanding their flag, the nationality of the sailors or cargo distribution,’ the Indian delegation said.