He said that as the shipping sector - including the ports, ship-building and repairing segments - contribute largely to the country’s economy, collective efforts should be made to ensure its growth. The PM also remarked that India also needs to safeguard its maritime sector. .
He also sounded apprehensive about the increasing range and instances of pirate attacks of late. The recent instances of attacks in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, much beyond the pirate infested areas of Gulf of Aden, have been a cause of major concern for sea-borne traders. Simultaneously, it also poses serious threat to the large number of Indian seafarers.
The deteriorating scenario
Echoing the sentiment of the PM, Union minister of Shipping G K Vasan said that so far 242 Indian crew members of merchant vessels of different flags have been hijacked by Somali pirates. The government’s proactive efforts have led to the release of nearly 220 members and efforts are on for rescuing the remaining 22. Mr Vasan was speaking at the inaugurating ceremony of the Indian Maritime Week.
As part of the security initiative, the Government of India has issued guidelines on Deployment of Armed Guards on Indian merchant ships. Naval escort is also provided by Indian Naval Ships in the Gulf of Aden. Joint operational exercises are also being conducted on regular basis among Navy, coast guard, coastal police, customs and others. It will now be important to see if these consorted efforts benefit the shipping sector
Sambuddha Sengupta |
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has stressed on the importance of gaining control over maritime activity in the wake of increasing incidents of piracy near the Indian shores. Dr Singh was speaking at the concluding function of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Shipping Corporation of India at the Shanmukhnda hall in Mumbai. 
