Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Calling for “strong measures” to combat Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean region, India Wednesday said cooperation of international maritime powers was needed to find a long-term solution to the menace.

Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju told reporters here that the government would take all steps to safeguard the cargo ships in the pirate-infested waters and also pursue its military options to ensure that hijacking of merchant vessels did not recur.

Seven Indian sailors of MV Asphant Venture are being held hostage by Somali pirates despite the payment of ransom by the ship owners.

The pirates had Saturday released eight other Indian crew members of the vessel, but the sailors refused to leave the Somali waters without their colleagues being held captive there.

“As a government, we are conscious about the safety of the hostages. At the same time we have to look at the most effective way to deal with the piracy. I think as a deterrent that (military option) is one thing we have to definitely consider. We also have to take some strong measures, to make sure that these incidents are not repeated,” Raju said here on the sidelines of a defence-business seminar.

“Along with safeguarding the passage of ships, we have to work on a long-term solution in containing piracy and making the sea lanes of communication safer. We also have to keep in view that the international community has a responsibility in trying to find a solution to original root of the problem which is the instability in Somalia,” he added.

Stressing the need for preventive measures to safeguard the merchant vessels sailing in the area, Raju said the Indian Navy was effectively deployed in the Indian Ocean region to ensure safe passage of ships.

“We have also allowed them to take preventive action against the pirates trying to board those ships,” he added.

On the fate of Indian sailors held in captivity, Raju recalled the external affairs minister had already talked about taking all possible efforts to safeguard their lives.

India has deployed a Talwar-class frigate off Somali coast since Sunday after the pirates refused to release the seven hostages, seeking to use them to obtain the freedom of over 120 of their comrades held in Indian prisons.