India Initiates Maritime Cooperation with China and Japan to Ward off Piracy

Posted on: March 15, 2012
http://www.defencenow.com/news/573/india-initiates-maritime-cooperation-with-china-and-japan-to-ward-off-piracy.html

In order to address the situation of piracy in the Gulf of Aden as well maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, India has decided to work in tandem with China and Japan to ward-off any potential threats. Indian Defence Minister AK Antony has stated in the Parliament that India, China and Japan will align together with their naval might to counter piracy in the region.

Defence Minister has indicated that better organization and coordination amongst the naval ships of India, China and Japan will make anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden more effective. The idea is to facilitate a smooth passage for the merchant vessels in a region which has become volatile in recent times. Greater synergy and communication with the navies of the three countries will greatly enhance security in the Gulf of Aden as well as the Indian Ocean region.

Explaining the effort made to counter the anti-piracy threats, Defence Minister Antony indicated that according to the convoy coordination plans initiated this year, one of the navies will be designated as "Reference Navy" for a period of three months. This position of the "Reference Navy” will be assumed by the one who first proposes its escort schedule for a similar time period. The "Reference Navy” will be rotated every three months and the other navies will program their schedules for escorting the region.

Last month at the International initiative on Ocean Escorts hosted by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), China had already indicated that India and Japan were two countries with which China wanted to increase exchanges and strengthen coordination of escort missions. China had clearly stated that improvement in the efficiency of international escort missions deployed in the fight against piracy can be achieved through greater exchange of intelligence, commander visits and joint escorts and exercises.

India’s effort to counter piracy in the region has been very pronounced as it has recently signed three pacts with Seychelles for the supply of coastal surveillance radar systems and Dornier aircraft that will enable the island nation to combat piracy more effectively. While India expressed its shock after Seychelles had offered China its harbour for use to refuel and stocking of Chinese warships, it was later clarified by China that it is not a military base but just a re-fuelling and supply facility.