MARGAO
Governor Mridula Sinha has on Wednesday underlined the need for cooperation among nations to combat piracy and armed robberies against ships in Asia, while complimenting the role played by the Indian Coast Guard towards securing the seas over the last four decades.
She was speaking after inaugurating a three-day international seminar on “Regional Cooperation for Safe & Secure Seas” organized by the Indian Coast Guard to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Indian Coast Guard and the 10th anniversary of ReCAAP.
The governor was speaking in the presence of more than 50 foreign delegates from Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), IOR nations and Middle East countries at a starred resort at Cavelossim on Wednesday.
While commending the role played by the Indian Coast Guard, the governor pointed out that incidents of piracy and robberies have come down drastically through cooperation and collective action by the contracting parties to ReCAAP. “Incidents of piracy and robberies in the seas have come down by 65 per cent,” she added.
Addressing the delegates, Director General of Indian Coast Guard, R Singh, said the seminar aims at promoting awareness among seafarers and policy makers alike, on the importance of cooperation towards ensuring safety of life and property at sea.
Besides bringing together the prominent law enforcement agencies in the regional, the three-day event would also provide a platform for discussions on subjects related to maritime law enforcement, marine pollution response and maritime SAR.
The event will culminate with a sea exercise off Goa coast on February 10, wherein in addition to various national stake holders, ICG surface and air units, Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship Tajuddin is also participating.
