Indian Navy considering proposal to patrol Gulf of Aden
The Indian navy is considering patrolling areas like the Gulf of Aden in collaboration with other navies in the future to curb incidents of piracy in the region.
By PTI |
MUMBAI: The Indian navy is considering patrolling areas like the Gulf of Aden in collaboration with other navies in the future to curb incidents of piracy in the region, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta said today.
"We are looking at that (patrolling the Gulf near the between Middle East Asia and Africa) and to make partnerships with other navies," Mehta said at a function on board INS Mysore to announce the launch of a television series based on the armed service.
"There are other regions whose interests are also at stake and ships travelling through there are mostly going to the South-East Asian region, China, Japan and other countries," he said.
Other countries whose economic interests are affected by the piracy in the region could also help shoulder the responsibility of patrolling, Mehta said, adding that the proposal was presently under consideration.
Eighteen Indian sailors are being held hostage reportedly at the Somalian port of Eyl after the ship 'Stolt Valor' was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on September 15 while bound for Mumbai carrying petrol products.
The Gulf of Aden has seen 13 incidents of hijack in the last two months.
Mehta said the Indian Navy would not have to be part of the coalition forces to carry out patrolling in the region.
"It is not such a big operation, we just have to make sure that someone is present there at all times," he said.
It would be an area of focus for the Indian Navy in the coming days, Mehta said. However, he declined to comment on by when the plan was expected to be ready.
"We are looking at that (patrolling the Gulf near the between Middle East Asia and Africa) and to make partnerships with other navies," Mehta said at a function on board INS Mysore to announce the launch of a television series based on the armed service.
"There are other regions whose interests are also at stake and ships travelling through there are mostly going to the South-East Asian region, China, Japan and other countries," he said.
Other countries whose economic interests are affected by the piracy in the region could also help shoulder the responsibility of patrolling, Mehta said, adding that the proposal was presently under consideration.
Eighteen Indian sailors are being held hostage reportedly at the Somalian port of Eyl after the ship 'Stolt Valor' was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on September 15 while bound for Mumbai carrying petrol products.
The Gulf of Aden has seen 13 incidents of hijack in the last two months.
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Mehta said the Indian Navy would not have to be part of the coalition forces to carry out patrolling in the region.
"It is not such a big operation, we just have to make sure that someone is present there at all times," he said.
It would be an area of focus for the Indian Navy in the coming days, Mehta said. However, he declined to comment on by when the plan was expected to be ready.
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