Piracy in Indian Ocean
The incidents of piracy in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean are not on the rise. However, a convoy coordination between the Indian, Chinese, Japanese Navies, who are operating independently for anti- piracy in the Gulf of Aden, has been implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2012.
India is represented in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), which has brought together more than 60 countries and 20 international organizations all working towards the prevention of piracy off the Somalia Coast. Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) is another initiative of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) formed in 2009 to facilitate exchange of piracy related unclassified information between the forces deployed for anti-piracy operations. This mechanism exists under the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 and is being attended by European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and other navies operating in the Gulf of Aden. India participates in SHADE meetings.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Partap Singh Bajwain Lok Sabha today.
HS/HH/RK