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There has been a remarkable decrease in piracy and armed robbery in Indian waters, said Lee Yin Mui, assistant director for research at the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). There was only one incident of armed robbery in Indian waters as of March this year.
“There was also a remarkable decrease in the number of incidents of armed robbery in Indian waters,” said Lee.
She highlighted the continuous efforts of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) towards deployment of the operational units at sea/air in the region. “The real time quick action has resulted into on-site apprehensions of the culprits thus making the Indian waters a safe place for the mariners,” said Lee at a conference organised yesterday by the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC).
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“When you see the resurgence of piracy in the waters off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden after five years of absence, unfortunately, the piracy and sea robbery do not disappear so easily,” he noted. He also pointed out the frequently changing modus operandi of piracy and sea robbery.
“The perpetrators are looking for an opportunity for any mode of piracy and sea robbery, as far as it is lucrative. Therefore, we need to be prepared for different types of maritime crimes,” said Kuroki.
International organisation, law enforcement agency and shipping associations shared their views at the conference.
ReCAAP is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. So far, 20 countries have become Contracting Parties to the group.