There is an increase in incidence of attacks on shipping passing through the Gulf of Aden and this signifies a possibility of return to large scale Somali piracy and robbery at sea in the Indian Ocean.
Government of India has recently taken serious steps to deal with piracy at sea.
What are the recent measures?
An Inter-Ministerial Group (IMGO) has been set up by the Government under the Ministry of Shipping to deal with the hostage situation arising out of hijacking at sea.
Government had also approved the Contingency Plan for dealing with piracy and hijacking of merchant ships.
Committee of Secretaries on Anti-Piracy and Hijacking at sea (COSAPH) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary.
Various guidelines that provide for elaborate anti-piracy measures (Best Management Practices) to be implemented on Indian Ships are issued.
Enhanced vigil by the Indian Navy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is instructed.
Active participation of India in the security meetings of the International Maritime Organization, Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) and other international fora.
Certain specific locations (including the Gulf of Aden and a region between Oman and Maldives) are mentioned for restricted movement of Indian vessels for security concerns.
