The Government has initiated various preventive/mitigating security measures to deal with piracy at sea.  These are as follows:

(i)                  An Inter-Ministerial Group of Officers (IMGO) has been set up to deal with hostage situation arising out of the hijacking of merchant vessels with Indian crew on board. 

(ii)                Issuance of Notices by Director General of Shipping detailing elaborate anti-piracy measures (Best Management Practices) including safe house/citadel.

(iii)               Banning of sailing vessels to ply in waters south or west of the line joining Salalah and Male.

(iv)           Naval escort provided by Indian Naval Ships in Gulf of Aden.

(v)                Enhanced vigil by Indian Navy in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and westward up to 65 degree east longitude.

Besides, India is participating in the Contact Group of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) meetings, which is a United Nation (UN) initiative, to address the piracy related concerns. Since its inception, the Government have actively participated in all efforts of the CGPCS to share information, coordinate actions of its navies, raise public and merchant marine awareness of the risks of piracy and examine legal and criminal justice issues with respect to the apprehended pirates.  India has successfully brought to the attention of the CGPCS the importance of the welfare of the hostages and their families and the responsibilities of the ship owners, both during a piracy situation as well as after the hostages have been released.

This information was given by the Union Minister of   Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan  in a written reply to a question in  Rajya Sabha today.

MG/AS – PQ1 – usq 1977