The Defence Ministry has proposed a proactive role under the United Nations flag to tackle the threat to maritime traffic from piracy.
“India is in favour of strengthening multilateral cooperation under a UN framework to meet the complex challenges of maritime security,” says the Annual Report for 2010-11 of the Ministry of Defence, laid before the Parliament today.
The report says the increased incidence of piracy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) “is an issue of serious concern.”
“The threat of piracy and terrorism to international trade and safety of the sea lanes of communication has emerged as a major problem. “The threat of piracy emerging from Somalian waters continues to endanger the safety of the sea lanes and is a matter of concern for the international community.”
The report says, “the spread of piracy to areas close to our western seaboard has made this a cause of great concern.”
“The presence of Somali pirates in the waters around our western island territories has been an unwelcome development which requires heightened vigil… The linkages between terrorists based in Somalia and transnational organized crime is also a cause of major concern globally.”
The report says New Delhi is engaged in enhancing cooperative interactions and exchanges with various countries in the IOR to tackle common security challenges.
“The Indian Navy has been actively involved in combating maritime piracy in the region on its own and in coordination with the Navies and coalition forces of various countries in the Gulf of Aden.”
The report says the IOR is “central” to India’s maritime interests and concerns.
“India’s economic development is crucially dependent on the sea because of the criticality of sea-borne trade in an increasingly inter-linked world, as well as because of the potential of vast economic resources of the oceans… India’s maritime interest involve the safeguarding of our coastline and island territories, as also our interests in our EEZ, as well as in maintaining open and secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).”
Dwelling on the security scenario in the immediate neighbourhood, the report says our relations with China are of “crucial importance.”
“India is conscious and watchful of the implications of China’s evolving military profile in the immediate and extended neighbourhood. India’s policy is to engage with China on the principles of mutual trust and respect and sensitivity for each other’s concerns.”
The report takes note of the recent political developments in West Asia and North Africa. “The impact of these developments on the security situation in the region and on the security of energy supplies is of global concern.”
Underscoring India’s vibrant ties with all countries in the region, the report says that New Delhi will continue to engage with them on the basis of mutuality of respect and interests.
“India has also been actively involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa under the UN mandate and seeks to consolidate its relations with many countries in the region with which we have historical linkages”.
The report says that the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus forum of ten ASEAN and eight non-ASEAN countries, including India, is an effort to establish an open and inclusive security architecture for the region.
“...India’s policy is to encourage and participate in cooperative approaches which would enable all countries in the region to counter traditional and no-traditional security challenges and to ensure that the critical sea lanes in the region are kept open, secure and free for navigation and trade.”
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the report implicates Pakistan “due to undiminished activities of terrorist organizations from its territory.”
“The continued infiltrations across the LoC and the existence of terrorist camps across the India-Pak border demonstrate the continuing ambivalence of Pakistan in its attitude and approach to terrorist organisations, even though such organizations pose a danger to Pakistan’s own social and political fabric.”
On Myanmar, the report says India continues to engage with its eastern neighbor and cooperation in security matters is being enhanced. “The Government of Myanmar has reciprocated India’s gestures of goodwill and friendship”. On Sri Lanka the report says India supports Colombo’s efforts to find a lasting political settlement. “India stands ready to enhance bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including defence and security”.
Indian Press Information Bureau
