Thaindian News

United Nations, Oct 20 (IANS) India has pledged to contribute to international efforts to tackle the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea and for the safety and release of hostages taken by pirates.

“India stands ready to contribute to international efforts aimed at increasing effective cooperation among States to tackle the threat of piracy,” Indian delegate Dushyant Singh said during a UN Security Council debate Wednesday on the emerging threat in the Gulf of Guinea.

“India has been at the forefront of highlighting the menace of piracy off the coast of Somalia and stressing the urgent need for the international community to work towards a comprehensive counter-piracy strategy,” Singh said.

“India is also concerned about new surge in piracy and maritime robbery in the Gulf of Guinea,” the member of Indian parliament said. ”

“While the two situations are different in proportion at this stage, it is quite possible that the failure of the international community to act decisively against piracy off the coast of Somalia could have spawned a new surge in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

The Gulf of Guinea is the northeast part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon and north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia, spanning a dozen of Central and West African countries with a growing source of oil, cocoa and metals to the world markets.

“New cases of piracy and armed robbery aboard vessels along the West African coast are being regularly reported, with significant potential consequences for economic development and security,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during the debate.