Somali Pirates Moving towards India

zoom Somali pirates are moving their operations toward India as international task forces tighten the surveillance of shipping lines in the Gulf of Aden, according to Indias Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.  The Minister, speaking on the sidelines of the international conference on India and Indian Ocean: Renewing the Maritime Trade & Civilizational Linkages, said that the country is increasing its vigilance of its territorial waters. Because their (shipping) lanes are heavily guarded, they have slightly moved to this side (30-40 nautical miles). They are still 450 nautical miles away from India, the Times of India cited the Minister as saying. Earlier this month, Indian government announced activities aimed at stepping up its efforts on dealing with piracy at sea. Namely, the government has adopted a Contingency Plan for dealing with piracy and hijacking of merchant ships with Indian crew and arising hostage situations. The country plans to bolster its naval escort activities in the Gulf of Aden as well by enhanced vigil in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and westward upto 65 degree east longitude. World Maritime News Staff