Somali pirates shifting base towards India, Parrikar says

BHUBANESWAR: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Sunday that Somali pirates were “shifting their location” towards India, but the country was watchful to deal with such threats.
“Because their (shipping) lanes are heavily guarded, they have slightly moved to this side (30-40 nautical miles). They are still 450 nautical miles away from India,” he told reporters in the sidelines of the international conference on India and Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade & Civilizational Linkages.
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Parrikar said, “They may not be next to India but...We are watchful and careful.”
On India’s stand in the wake of China’s growing clout in the Indian Ocean region, Parrikar said India was trying to have a cordial relation with its neighboring countries.

Somali pirates produced at the Sewri fast-track court. The pirates were nabbed in four different operations that were carried out by the Coast Guard and the Navy off Lakshadweep. (TOI Photo by Prashant Nakwe)
“India is exchanging joint exercises, discussions and training with other countries. Around 38 countries are sending their defence personnel to India for training,” he said, adding India was planning to export defence material to these counties.
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Earlier, during his address, the former Goa chief minister pitched for creation of a common platform for the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries. “We are in a common grid and are tied to each other. If India, which is strategically located, strengthens its position, it can facilitate others,” he added.
Since IRO countries have more than 50% of the world’s oil reserve and more than 45% of the world’s gas reserve, greater cooperation among these countries is a must to bolster economic and securities ties, the minister said.

File photo of masked Somali pirate Hassan stands near a Taiwanese fishing vessel that washed up on shore after the pirates were paid a ransom and released the crew, in the once-bustling pirate den of Hobyo, Somalia. (AP Photo)
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.
On the implementation of the one-rank-one-pay scheme, he said the defence ministry had sent a clear proposal to the government. “The government will now take a call on it,” he added.