Over the past three years, there have been seven documented cases of pirates taking over ships on the high seas. One instance of a merchant vessel, the Lila Norfolk, being hijacked. On January 04–05, 2024, there were 21 crew members on board, including 15 Indian nationals. Additionally, on January 28, 2024, and January 29, 2024, two hijacking episodes involving the fishing vessels IMAN and AI Naeemi—both of which lacked an Indian crew—took place.
In an effort to advance maritime security, the Indian Navy has been actively interacting with both regional and extraregional navies and maritime forces. The Indian Navy has been conducting antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and along the East Coast of Africa since 2008. Over 25,000 seamen and 3,440 ships have all been safely escorted. For restoring maritime security in the region, enhanced presence of ships, aerial surveillance by maritime patrol aircraft / remotely piloted aircraft in the Central Arabian Sea and Off East of Coast of Somalia is being undertaken by Indian Navy. Along with efficient communication and coordination with the DG (Shipping) for inputs on Indian crew members onboard merchant boats operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding region, information is also shared with national and international maritime security authorities in order to provide an early and coordinated reaction. In order to preserve marine security in the area, the Indian Navy also conducts interrogations of fishing boats and dhows that are in operation.
In an effort to restore maritime security in the area, the Indian Navy has increased its ship presence and aerial surveillance in the central Arabian Sea and off the coast of Somalia using remotely piloted aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft. There have been no recorded instances of piracy in the Palk Strait.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri A Ganeshamurthi in the Lok Sabha today.
