05-20-2012, 06:30 PM
Ramanaji,
Your first post is indeed interesting. Let us hope that its contents indeed become a reality in the near future. However, our strategic planners need to take note of several other aspects which are direct fallout of the Somali pirate activities in the Indian Ocean region. Some of these developments may have security implications for India.
The most glaring example is the Italian security opening fire and killing Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala. The subsequent flexing of diplomatic muscle by Italy to compel India to follow the lines dotted by the Italians has so far not been successful. Needless to mention that in the days ahead the Italians will continue to mount pressure on the Indian Government so that the two Italian security personnel get released.
Apart from this unfortunate incident there are several other developments that we should take note of in the context of our national maritime security. Most of the western powers, particularly those belonging to the EU have increased their Naval presence in the Indian Ocean. If they continue to have a prolonged presence in the area we may expect the return of colonial arrogance in the attitude of some of the participating nations. The only silver lining is the economic turmoil in the EU. If this situation does continue for some more time, one may see the curtailment of activities in the Indian Ocean area by the Navies of the EU countries.
The shooting incident off the Kerala coast has to be seen in the overall situation prevailing in the area at the moment. Apart from the EU forces, you have the presence of the US Navy, which has always been there to some extent in the past also. However, they are unlikely to be a matter of concern for India as due to their long presence in the area their forces are much acclimatised and unlikely to act in panic or recklessly as has been the case with the Italians.
The most recent entrant in the area had been the Chinese Navy. They have been sending a token force in the Gulf of Oman and the surrounding areas to provide escort to international shipping. So far they have not shown any arrogant attitude while discharging their international obligations. Since the Indian Navy is also present in the area, certainly the naval ships of the two Asiatic powers are meeting each other on the high seas and obviously exchanging greetings much to the disgust of the former colonial powers.
The Italians know very well that inn India the executive has no power to shortcut the judicial process. So we find that its repeated statements and demands for the immediate release of its security personnel is rather a sign of arrogance. I hope the Indian Government will take a firm stand against the Italians as it has done so far.
Your first post is indeed interesting. Let us hope that its contents indeed become a reality in the near future. However, our strategic planners need to take note of several other aspects which are direct fallout of the Somali pirate activities in the Indian Ocean region. Some of these developments may have security implications for India.
The most glaring example is the Italian security opening fire and killing Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala. The subsequent flexing of diplomatic muscle by Italy to compel India to follow the lines dotted by the Italians has so far not been successful. Needless to mention that in the days ahead the Italians will continue to mount pressure on the Indian Government so that the two Italian security personnel get released.
Apart from this unfortunate incident there are several other developments that we should take note of in the context of our national maritime security. Most of the western powers, particularly those belonging to the EU have increased their Naval presence in the Indian Ocean. If they continue to have a prolonged presence in the area we may expect the return of colonial arrogance in the attitude of some of the participating nations. The only silver lining is the economic turmoil in the EU. If this situation does continue for some more time, one may see the curtailment of activities in the Indian Ocean area by the Navies of the EU countries.
The shooting incident off the Kerala coast has to be seen in the overall situation prevailing in the area at the moment. Apart from the EU forces, you have the presence of the US Navy, which has always been there to some extent in the past also. However, they are unlikely to be a matter of concern for India as due to their long presence in the area their forces are much acclimatised and unlikely to act in panic or recklessly as has been the case with the Italians.
The most recent entrant in the area had been the Chinese Navy. They have been sending a token force in the Gulf of Oman and the surrounding areas to provide escort to international shipping. So far they have not shown any arrogant attitude while discharging their international obligations. Since the Indian Navy is also present in the area, certainly the naval ships of the two Asiatic powers are meeting each other on the high seas and obviously exchanging greetings much to the disgust of the former colonial powers.
The Italians know very well that inn India the executive has no power to shortcut the judicial process. So we find that its repeated statements and demands for the immediate release of its security personnel is rather a sign of arrogance. I hope the Indian Government will take a firm stand against the Italians as it has done so far.