CCS decides steps to tackle pirates
The Cabinet Committee on Security on Friday approved a series of measures to address the legal, administrative and operational aspects of conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia.
As part of the move, an inter-ministerial group, headed by Cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar would be set up. The group will act as an apex forum at the government level to monitor the early release of Indian ships or cargo or crew.
The CCS also discussed legal requirements to tackle the pirates as there were no piracy-related laws in the country and a decision on this issue is expected to be taken soon by the inter-ministerial group.
Making a statement in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna said the CCS approved broad policy framework would involve actions that would be taken in the medium and long term by the ministries of shipping, external affairs and defence. Besides, standard operating procedures for the Indian Navy and coordination of the Indian Navy’s activities with the Navies of friendly foreign countries in the Gulf of Aden would be adopted, he said. This would mean deployment of more Indian Navy ships in the region, said sources.
The CCS specifically considered the immediate situation arising out from holding of Indian hostages by pirates. Mr Krishna said as of now 53 Indian seafarers remain in captivity on five different ships. The government expressed sympathy with the families of the hostages and decided that it would take all appropriate action to safeguard their welfare, said Mr Krishna.
While government efforts to contact the owners of the vessels concerned would be stepped up, the inter-ministerial group will also consider welfare measures necessitated after the release of hijacked Indian nationals.
Among the other moves decided by the CCS were to intensify diplomatic efforts through consultations with the governments of Egypt and the UAE, where the owners of concerned vessels reside, as well as with the governments of other nationals, who are also being held hostage.
Further, diplomatic efforts both at the multilateral level and within the framework of the United Nations would be intensified, said Mr Krishna.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj thanked the external affairs minister for the quick response. She said the government should take recourse to the established mechanisms under the UN security council to deal with the problem as it would save considerable time usually spent in negotiating with the Somali pirates.
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