Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112757051000.htm

National

Naval security for cargo ships

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: The Navy will provide security cover for Indian cargo ships passing by the Somalian coast, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said here on Wednesday.

As the Somalia coast was very wide, it was hard for the security forces to reach every trouble spot. Warships of many countries were stationed in the area, he pointed out.

The sea off the Somalia coast is infested with pirates and in the recent past they hijacked several cargo ships including Indian vessels. Recently, a couple of Indian ships were hijacked and the Navy got one of them released.

Mr. Antony said all ships carrying the Indian flag would be given protection in the Indian Ocean. He recalled that India moved the United Nations for an international operation against piracy there. If this issue was not immediately addressed, littoral countries should join together to fight the menace.