Inter-Ministerial Group to monitor release of Indian sailors

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: With 53 Indians on five hijacked ships being kept hostage in Somalia along with nationals from other countries, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Friday decided to set up an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to monitor the process of their release. The CCS also resolved to undertake several medium and long-term measures, including intensified efforts through the diplomatic channels, to get the captives released and put an end to piracy.
Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said efforts would be taken at the diplomatic level, including at the United Nations. India articulated its position on Thursday at a U.N. Security Council meeting on a “Comprehensive Strategy for the Realisation of Peace and Security in Somalia.”
Besides, efforts would be taken for better coordination between the navies of India and friendly countries to fight piracy.
The CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to set up an IMG under the Cabinet Secretary to act as an apex forum to monitor the early release of Indian ships or crew or cargo.
Policy framework
The committee approved a series of measures which would be taken by the government to address the legal, administrative and operational aspects of combating piracy. “A broad policy framework covering all these aspects was approved,” Mr. Krishna said.
The CCS also decided to formulate suitable standard operating procedures for the Navy and coordination of its activities with counterparts in friendly foreign countries in the Gulf of Aden.
The CCS expressed sympathy for the families of the hostages and the government would take all appropriate actions to safeguard their welfare, Mr. Krishna said.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said India should make use of several mechanisms of the United Nations on piracy. If those mechanisms were used, it might not take such a long time to secure the release of hostages, she said.
Help to Somalia
At the Security Council, India acknowledged the problems facing the transitional government in Somalia and assured all help in combating the severe drought sweeping across the country. New Delhi also said it wanted the transitional government to control the Kismayo port to deny a major revenue source and inlet of logistics to the militant group, Al-Shabaab.