Maldives and India to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean
Piracy in the Indian Ocean recently has assumes alarming proportions India and Maldives on 12 November 2011, decided to undertake coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance to guard strategic sea lanes in the region.
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Maldives - most of the goods are imported by sea |
The two countries also discussed developing an effective legal framework to address growing threat from pirates.
This decision was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Maldivian counter part President Mohammed Nasheed.
Both Prime Minster and President agreed to strengthen cooperation to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region through coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance.
The move comes as Somali pirates are venturing deep into the Indian Ocean and closer to Indian territory to stage seajackings and more and more of these pirates are being apprehended by maritime forces.
Recently Maldives fishermen have captured several pirates who were drifying in the Indian Ocean once the privates run out of fuel and food.
A joint statement released after the meeting between Singh and Nasheed said the two sides agreed on "exchange of information, capacity building and the development of an effective legal framework against piracy."
India and Maldives agreed to "enhance bilateral cooperation on issues of common concern, including piracy, terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking. It was also agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of training and capacity building of police and security forces."
November 2011
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