The Cabinet Committee on Security met on Friday approved a series of measures to be taken by the Government to address the legal, administrative and operational aspects of combating piracy and to conduct of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia.
A broad policy framework covering all these aspects was approved. This would involve actions that would be taken in the medium and long term by the Ministries of Shipping, External Affairs and Defence.
The Committee also specifically considered the immediate situation arising out from holding of Indian hostages by pirates. It noted that as of now 53 Indian seafarers remain in captivity on 5 different ships. The 53 Indian sailors were seized during the capture of the ships – MV Iceberg – Panamian Flag, MV Suez – Panamian Flag, MT Asphalt Venture – Panamian Flag, MT Savina Caylyn – Italian Flag, MV Sinin – Panamian Flag – by the Somali pirates.
In most cases, ships on which Indian crew members are held in captivity have crew members of other nationalities also. For instance, MV Iceberg has 9 Yemenis, 6 Indians, 1 Filipino, 4 Ghanians, 2 Sudanese and 2 Pakistanis, all held by the pirates. MV Suez has 6 Indians, 11 Egyptians, 4 Pakistanis and 1 Sri Lankan, all held by pirates.
The Committee expressed its sympathy with the families of the hostages, and decided that the Government would take all appropriate action to safeguard their welfare. It approved intensify diplomatic efforts through consultations with the Governments of Egypt and the UAE where the owners of concerned vessels reside, as well as with the Governments of other nationalities who are also being held as hostages and intensifying diplomatic efforts both at the multilateral level and within the framework of the United Nations.
It advised the Government to step up of contacts with the owners of the vessels concerned and set up an Inter-ministerial Group under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary. The Group will act as an apex forum at the Government level to monitor the early release of Indian ships or cargo or crew. The Group will also consider welfare measures necessitated after the release of hijacked Indian nationals.
The Committee also suggested formulation of suitable standard operating procedures for the Indian Navy and coordination of the Indian Navy’s activities with the Navies of friendly foreign countries in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and Posts concerned are in regular touch with the ship owners and with the Governments of countries where these ship owners are based to secure the release of Indian sailors. Director General, Shipping has continued his efforts to expedite steps by the owners of the ships to secure the release of our sailors from the pirates.
Indian Ambassador in Cairo and Consul General in Dubai are also working with their counterparts from other countries whose crew members have been held by the pirates in order to intensify efforts to secure the release of crew held in these ships, expeditiously.
The UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are working on prevention, guidance, reporting and cooperation to mitigate piracy. One Indian naval ship had been deployed in the Gulf of Aden to escort Indian shipping interests since 2008. Following recent incidents of pirate attacks closer to Indian western shores, the Indian Navy has increased its vigil and neutralized two pirate “mother ships” and captured 43 pirates.
As a result of such efforts, 21 Indian nationals held on merchant ships were released in 2008, 34 in 2009, 56 in 2010 and 13 in 2011 bringing the total number of sailors that have been released to 124. 53 Indian sailors who were crew members of hijacked ships seized by pirates are presently held in captivity.