Steps are on to increase security in Indian Ocean region: Admiral Lanba

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Monday said the process of information sharing among the countries concerned has been accorded renewed impetus at the highest level to enhance collective maritime security in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

Talking to media persons here, Admiral Lanba said that the Indian navy has inked White Shipping Information Exchange agreements with 19 countries and has operationalised the agreement with 12 countries. "Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) of the Indian Navy has also emerged as a virtual information hub for White Shipping information in the region," he added.

Naval Chief further said that the navy is in the process of setting up an Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR) to further its commitment to ensuring security in the IOR.

He denied any lapse of coastal security in connection with the venturing of a 27-year-old American citizen John Allen Chau in Andaman. Chau was killed on the island inhabited by a tribe, which is known to resist outside contact in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Talking about the changes introduced in the Indian Navy after 26/11 attack carried out in Mumbai, the Chief of the Naval Staff said, "Since 26/11 took place, our preparations have improved in the form of ships and aircrafts size. Also, the Navy is now the in-charge of maritime security along with the Indian Coastguard. The intelligence inputs are received and the information is exchanged information at right time."

In reply to a question about Anil Ambani's involvement delaying Navy projects, Admiral Lanba said, "Reliance Natural Resources Limited (RNRL) is undergoing corporate debt restructuring (CDR). They have taken to the court by IDBI Bank.