Parrikar calls for common platform to ward off threat of Somali pirates

Parrikar said that India’s strength lies in non- violence, but it can be practised only by those that are strong. (Source: PTI photo)

Union Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday advocated a common platform for Indian Ocean navy countries to ward off threats from Somali pirates who are shifting their location towards India.

Talking to press here at an international conference on India and the Indian Ocean Region today, Parrikar said India is watchful and can deal with such threats. “Today’s threats are not traditional. Somali pirates, after being neutralised by various countries’ navies, are shifting their locations towards India. Because their (shipping) lanes are heavily guarded, they have moved 30-40 nautical miles, although they still are 450 nautical miles away from India.

Somali pirates have been a threat to international shipping in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, especially in the Gulf of Aden, which is a busy route, and have made millions of dollars in ransom by seizing ships.

“They may not be next to India but… We are watchful and careful,” Parrikar said at an international conference on ‘India & the Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade & Civilisational Linkages’, organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) jointly with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).

Seeking greater cooperation between the neighbouring countries, he said the Indian Ocean can be an enricher and also a destroyer and hence India should also be prepared for disaster and develop strong relationships and communication with neighbouring countries.

“We are in a common grid and are tied to each other. If India strengthens, being the focal point and located strategically, it can facilitate others.” He also said that India’s strength lies in non- violence, but it can be practised only by those that are strong.

The defence minister said the Indian Ocean region is accounts for more than 50% of the world’s oil reserves and more than 45% of the world’s gas reserves.

Source:: Indian Express