MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 179 FOR ANSWER ON 3.8.2006
According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the piracy incidents in the seas adjoining India and the South-East Asian Region have declined during the last three years. The reduction in the piracy incidents has been largely attributable to the increased patrolling by the Navies and Coast Guards of the countries of this region, including India. The details of attacks during the last three years are given below:
Year Seas adjoining India Seas adjoining South East Asian Region
2003 27 170
2004 15 158
2005 15 102
2. The IMB has defined Piracy and Armed Robbery as “An act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the apparent intent to commit theft or any other crime and with the apparent intent or capability to use force in furtherance of that actâ€. The reported incidents of piracy attacks in the seas adjoining India are actually stray incidents of petty thefts on board ships at anchorage to steal paints, ropes etc. which have been reported as piracy attacks according to the above definition of IMB.
3. The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard conduct regular patrolling by ships and aircraft in the seas adjoining India, which acts as deterrence against piracy attacks on ships.
4. Discussions have been held with other Asian countries to ensure security of sea lanes of communication in the region. In a meeting held in Japan in June 2004, a resolution was adopted by Coast Guards of 17 countries called Asia Maritime Security Initiative 2004 (AMARSECTIVE 2004) to promote action on piracy and armed robbery against ships. A Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP) was proposed by Japan in November 2004. 12 countries, including India, have ratified the agreement.
5. The Indian Coast Guard has also concluded an agreement in March, 2006 with South Korea for action against piracy and safety of sea lanes of communications.
6. In addition, agreements are already in force between the Indian Navy and the Navy of Indonesia since 2002 and the Navy of Thailand since 2005 for coordinated patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line.
7. Indian Navy and Coast Guard and the Sri Lankan Navy conduct regular patrolling on their respective sides of the International Maritime Boundary.
