Global Maritime Security & Anti-Piracy Conference (GMSAC) 2011

I am happy to know that the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is organising the Global Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Conference from November 26-27, 2011 at Gandhinagar. I extend warm greetings and facilitation to the organisers and the participants and wishes the Conference every success.

I am happy to know that the Gujarat National Law University is holding the Global Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Conference from 26th to 27th November, 2011 at Gandhinagar.

India is an important maritime State. In view of increased incidents of piracy, our maritime security needs more attention. Piracy, once thought to be something of the past, has become the bane of the modern seafarer. Pirates have also become exceptionally well organized, trained gangs with possible links with other forms of maritime disorder and terrorism, such as narco- terrorism and human smuggling. Piracy causes considerable economic, trade and human losses. Multinational efforts to control this violent menace are hopefully beginning to show signs of success. However, law enforcement agencies of various States must cooperate further to bring piracy under control, or else it will not only return with greater vigour but may spin out of control.

Time has come for us to appreciate the challenges to our maritime security and devise stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent and eradicate the problem. My best wishes for meaningful deliberations in the proposed Global Conference.

I am pleased to learn that Gujarat National Law University has scheduled a conference on "Global Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy". In the present context, Maritime Security and Anti-Piract Operations have assumed immense importance towards the global security environment.

The twin evils of maritime piracy and terrorism manifests an enormous challenge to the safety and security, not only of the maritime fraternity but also to the larger global community. The attacks on USS Cole and MV Limburg were examples of maritime terrorism 'at sea', while the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai were terrorism 'from the sea'.

The Indian Navy is committed towards providing security and safe passage to the merchant ships in Gulf of Aden. Our Navy commenced its Anti-Piracy Patrol in the Gulf of Aden in October 2008 and has till date deployed 26 warships on anti-piracy missions. There has not been a single incident of successful piracy attack on any ship that has been escorted by our Navy. Coastal Security is an equally important facet of our Naval operations.

I look forward to the conference eliciting some relevant ideas for a strategy to enhance Maritime Security. I wish all the participants as well as the organisers of the event the very best in their endeavours.