Piracy, Terrorism Threats To Regional Stability : India

New Delhi, Oct 4, IRNA - Observing that piracy and armed robberies in high seas were threatening the stability of the Asian region, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday that India was taking steps to augment its capabilities to fight piracy and terrorism. Addressing the 8th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting, he said, "India strongly believes that mutual cooperation alone is the most effective way in ensuring the security and safety of oceans." "The various challenges including menace of piracy and armed robbery, drugs and arms trafficking and unregulated and unreported fishing to name a few, threaten both short-term and long-term stability of the region," he said. The meeting is attended by 17 heads of coast guards from Asian countries including China, Japan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia. Underlining the need for enhancing regional cooperation, Antony said the Indian Navy and coast guard regularly participate in joint exercises with many Asian nations. He said swift policy decisions by the governments, in keeping with the maritime environment, are of great importance in today's scenario. "Top priority must be accorded to the creation of safe and secure oceans. Governments and law enforcement agencies must implement national and international laws that can act as a deterrent for unscrupulous elements," he said. Antony said the oceans are and have the capacity to become a "domain for goodwill interactions between nations, mutual cooperation to provide humanitarian aid, preserving maritime environment and enforcement of law at sea." He said nations must cooperate with each other to ensure everlasting peace and security./end