Question : SEA PIRACY IN INDIAN OCEAN

(a) the number and details of ships/vessels including people hijacked/captured by the sea pirates in the Indian ocean including Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea, the details of the loss of lives and property therein during the last three years and efforts made by the Government to rescue them;

(b) whether there has been an attempt by sea pirates to hijack a merchant vessel near Lakshadweep Islands as reported recently;

(c) if so, the details thereof and action taken by the Navy and Coast Guard in this regard;

(d) whether there has been increased activities of pirates in the Indian Ocean/coastal waters and if so, the details thereof and the measures being taken to check the same;

(e) whether the States with maritime boundaries have been accorded the same status as that of States with international borders and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government has any joint patrolling programme or concluded any treaty for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Rim and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) As per International Maritime Bureau during 2009 to 2011 (upto 30th June) the total number of ships hijacked is 121. The number of crew who were taken captive is 350 in the current year.

(b) There were two incidents reported off Lakshadweep in 2011. Indian Navy and Coast Guard intercepted the two vessels, which were hijacked Thai vessels. 43 pirates and 44 fishermen of Thai/Myanmarese origin were captured and handed over to Mumbai police.

(c) Government has deployed one Indian Naval Warship in the Gulf of Aden for anti piracy patrols since October, 2008 and more than 1700 ships have been escorted. The presence of Indian Navy in the area is to protect our sea borne trade and instill confidence in our sea faring community. A coordinated operation was launched by Navy and Coast Guard for preventing/suppressing piracy off Lakshadweep Islands. The operation included enhanced surveillance and patrol by surface and air units. However, appropriate surveillance of the Lakshadweep Islands continues.

(d) Indian Navy substantially increased its anti piracy deployment in the East Arabian Sea since November 10. The result of these extensive and intensive deployments by Indian Navy was that by end April 11 the threat of piracy attacks was substantially reduced in this area and there were nil hijackings East of 65 deg East Longitude since mid February 11.

(e) While the international border clearly defines the territorial limits and sovereignty of a country over its territory, the maritime boundary delineates the limits of the maritime zones between the adjacent nations subject to internationally recognized rights of innocent passage and freedom upon the high seas, in accordance with United Nations Conference on the Law of Sea(UNCLOS).

(f) Due to reports of rising incidents of piracy, surveillance has been increased in Indian Ocean Region. Indian Navy carries joint patrolling of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius.