India has the most number of Somali pirates in custody.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The US State Department’s Coordinator for Counter-Piracy and Maritime Security Donna Hopkins and the European Union’s Deputy Head of its Delegation to the UN François Rivasseau held a meeting at the Washington Foreign Press Center here, to discuss India’s role in the recent neutralization of piracy activities in the Indian Ocean and around the horn of Africa.
“India is a very important member of the Contact Group [a group of 80 countries combating piracy],” said Hopkins. “There are a number of independent deployers, including China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. They operate together – not under single command and control, but under a system of voluntary cooperation and de-confliction. “
India was also singled out for being the country with the most Somali pirates currently in custody. Hopkins revealed statistics that India is at the top of 21 countries that currently house convicted or suspected Somali pirates, numbering about 1,430, but India has the most (the exact number in India, however, was not shared).
The focus on India’s anti-piracy measures comes as the country is being attacked by Italy over its anti-piracy laws. This aspect of the piracy issue, however, was not discussed at the panel.
Tensions between the two countries have risen over the fact that India has held two Italian marines since 2012 under allegations that they caused the death of two Indian fishermen at that time. Earlier this week, India announced that it would be adhering to its anti-piracy laws and will move forward with its prosecution of the two Italians, saying that it has ruled out the possibility of giving them capital punishment.
Regardless, the marines still face 10 years in prison, in addition to the time they have already been serving in India. Italian Premier Enrico Letta’s office lambasted India’s decision, calling it “out-of-proportion and incomprehensible,” and further adding that Italy is not a terroristic nation.
Hopkins and Rivasseau discussed the issue at some length, moderating an open discussion as to the status of the countries’ relationship and what the best course of action is to resolve this delicate diplomatic situation (something India has quite a bit of recent experience with).
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com