ID :
184729
Thu, 05/26/2011 - 22:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/184729
The shortlink copeid
India asks UN to take lead in combating international piracy
From V Mohan Narayan
Addis Ababa, May 26 (PTI) India Thursday made a strong
pitch to the UN to take the lead in evolving a comprehensive
response to the threat of international piracy in the Red Sea
and off the coast of Somalia to ensure unhindered maritime
trade.
Simultaneously, the international community should
continue with efforts to restore stability in Somalia, Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while addressing the joint
session of Ethiopian Parliament here.
Singh, who is the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to
visit Ethiopia, said as a littoral state of the Indian Ocean,
India is ready to work with Ethiopia and other African
countries in this regard.
The Prime Minister received a standing ovation from a
packed Parliament as he entered with his wife Gursharan Kaur.
"The Horn of Africa is today faced with threats from
piracy and terrorism. International piracy in the Red sea and
off the coat of Somalia has become a well-organised industry.
It is important that the United Nations take the lead in
developing a comprehensive and effective response to this
threat," Singh said.
"We would all like the Indian Ocean to remain a secure
link between Asia and Africa through which international
maritime trade can take place unhindered," he said.
India has repeatedly voiced its serious concerns over
the threats posed by Somali pirates since about 11 per cent of
seafarers engaged by international shipping companies are
Indian nationals, some of whom have been taken hostage.
There have been over 200 attacks, including about 70
successful hijackings and ransoms believed to exceed USD 50
have been paid to the pirates for securing the release of
hostages and ships. Noting that winds of change blowing in West Asia and
North Africa, Singh said, "We believe it is the right of all
peoples to determine their own destiny and choose their own
path of development."
"International actions must be based on the rule of
law and be strictly within the framework of UN resolutions. We
support the efforts of the African Union in bringing peace and
stability to the region," he added.
Singh was repeatedly applauded during his speech.
Commenting on the emergence of new nation South Sudan
in next few weeks, Singh said, "We hope it will contribute to
peace and reconciliation among the people of Sudan."
Turning to changes in the structure of global bodies
like United Nations and International monetary system, the
Prime Minister said: "These are issues which have to be
tackled and resolved."
He thanked Ethiopia for its strong support to India's
permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
In his address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
said that Ethiopia and India enjoyed long standing coordial
ties on the basis of mutual respect and benefits for the
peoples of the countries.
He said the threads of historical, cultural and
political relationship have forged the two countries together.
"These two countries have stood together in many
historic moments," he added. Talking about greater cooperation between the two
countries, Singh said India and Ethiopia must work to address
the challenges of food security, energy security, health
security, sustainable development and climate change.
He said providing affordable healthcare, particularly
in rural areas is another major challenge.
Indian pharmaceutical companies are known for
providing cheap and good quality generic drugs. I am happy
they have begun to invest in Ethiopia, he said.
Talking about climate change, the Prime Minister said
it is essential for rich countries to share the financial
burden of combating climate change, participate in research
and development and promote transfer of technology to ensure
green growth.
On the financial relations between the two countries,
he said India has offered USD 5 billion for the next three
years under the line of credit to help achieve the development
goals of Africa.
"We will offer an additional USD 700 million to
establish new institutions and training programmes in
consultation with the African Union and its institutions," he
said.
Singh said the bilateral trade between the two
countries is on course to reach the target of USD one billion
by 2015. He said relations between India and Ethiopia have
expanded impressively in the last few decades.
"We attach high importance to our relations with
Ethiopia. Our development and economic partnership is
progressing well," the Prime Minister said.
Addis Ababa, May 26 (PTI) India Thursday made a strong
pitch to the UN to take the lead in evolving a comprehensive
response to the threat of international piracy in the Red Sea
and off the coast of Somalia to ensure unhindered maritime
trade.
Simultaneously, the international community should
continue with efforts to restore stability in Somalia, Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while addressing the joint
session of Ethiopian Parliament here.
Singh, who is the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to
visit Ethiopia, said as a littoral state of the Indian Ocean,
India is ready to work with Ethiopia and other African
countries in this regard.
The Prime Minister received a standing ovation from a
packed Parliament as he entered with his wife Gursharan Kaur.
"The Horn of Africa is today faced with threats from
piracy and terrorism. International piracy in the Red sea and
off the coat of Somalia has become a well-organised industry.
It is important that the United Nations take the lead in
developing a comprehensive and effective response to this
threat," Singh said.
"We would all like the Indian Ocean to remain a secure
link between Asia and Africa through which international
maritime trade can take place unhindered," he said.
India has repeatedly voiced its serious concerns over
the threats posed by Somali pirates since about 11 per cent of
seafarers engaged by international shipping companies are
Indian nationals, some of whom have been taken hostage.
There have been over 200 attacks, including about 70
successful hijackings and ransoms believed to exceed USD 50
have been paid to the pirates for securing the release of
hostages and ships. Noting that winds of change blowing in West Asia and
North Africa, Singh said, "We believe it is the right of all
peoples to determine their own destiny and choose their own
path of development."
"International actions must be based on the rule of
law and be strictly within the framework of UN resolutions. We
support the efforts of the African Union in bringing peace and
stability to the region," he added.
Singh was repeatedly applauded during his speech.
Commenting on the emergence of new nation South Sudan
in next few weeks, Singh said, "We hope it will contribute to
peace and reconciliation among the people of Sudan."
Turning to changes in the structure of global bodies
like United Nations and International monetary system, the
Prime Minister said: "These are issues which have to be
tackled and resolved."
He thanked Ethiopia for its strong support to India's
permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
In his address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
said that Ethiopia and India enjoyed long standing coordial
ties on the basis of mutual respect and benefits for the
peoples of the countries.
He said the threads of historical, cultural and
political relationship have forged the two countries together.
"These two countries have stood together in many
historic moments," he added. Talking about greater cooperation between the two
countries, Singh said India and Ethiopia must work to address
the challenges of food security, energy security, health
security, sustainable development and climate change.
He said providing affordable healthcare, particularly
in rural areas is another major challenge.
Indian pharmaceutical companies are known for
providing cheap and good quality generic drugs. I am happy
they have begun to invest in Ethiopia, he said.
Talking about climate change, the Prime Minister said
it is essential for rich countries to share the financial
burden of combating climate change, participate in research
and development and promote transfer of technology to ensure
green growth.
On the financial relations between the two countries,
he said India has offered USD 5 billion for the next three
years under the line of credit to help achieve the development
goals of Africa.
"We will offer an additional USD 700 million to
establish new institutions and training programmes in
consultation with the African Union and its institutions," he
said.
Singh said the bilateral trade between the two
countries is on course to reach the target of USD one billion
by 2015. He said relations between India and Ethiopia have
expanded impressively in the last few decades.
"We attach high importance to our relations with
Ethiopia. Our development and economic partnership is
progressing well," the Prime Minister said.
