India says 'yes' to securing Strait
Jakarta Post, Jakarta
India expressed its readiness on Wednesday to assist in providing security in the Malacca Strait, one of world's busiest sea lanes, when the three littoral states, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, asked New Delhi to help them.
In an interview with The Jakarta Post, Indian foreign minister, K. Natwar Singh, said it was in his own country's national interests to ensure the strait remained a crime-free sea lane.
"From our side it is affirmative," the minister replied when asked whether India was willing to cooperate with Southeast Asian countries to provide security in the strait.
Such cooperation is not new for India, said Singh. "We are neighbors. Nicobar Island and the northern part of Sumatra are only 80 miles (apart). And the Malacca Strait is equally important strategically. And the answer is 'yes'," said Singh.
When asked what kind of cooperation his country could offer, Singh replied, "Details can be worked out. I don't have the details. But in principle 'yes'."
Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed on joint patrols in the 805-kilometer long Malacca Strait, through which most Japanese and Chinese imported oil and one third of world's traded goods, pass.
The U.S. will likely raise concerns over rising sea piracy, and the possible threats from terrorists along the strait, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) on Friday. Malaysia and Indonesia have rejected a U.S. proposal to conduct joint patrols in the strait.
India and Indonesia began joint naval patrols off the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal to check poaching, smuggling and drug trafficking in 2002.
India is also providing an escort for ships passing through the Indian Ocean bound for Southeast Asia through the Malacca Strait, between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted the International Maritime Bureau as reporting that violent pirate attacks from Indonesia's northern Sumatra island have soared, with seven kidnappings of crew for ransom from their ships in the past 90 days alone. -- (For more stories click National button)