Page 5 - Maritime Security

SL considering China's research ship docking; security concern for India?

Sri Lanka is currently processing a request by China to allow a research ship to dock in the country, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, a year after a visit by a Chinese spy vessel to the Island nation raised security concerns in India. The Chinese embassy here has made an application and the ministry is currently looking at it," Priyanga Wickramasingha, the foreign ministry spokesperson, told PTI. No dates have been fixed yet for the visit, she said. The Chinese research vessel 'SHI YAN 6' is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for marine research activities in October. Described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT, the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres, The media here is abuzz that the foreign office here is in an awkward position about the request due to possible concerns being raised by India. The vessel is expected to undertake research jointly with the National Aquatic ...

Ship carrying nearly 3,000 Mercedes, BMW cars on fire near Netherlands

The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of a crew member's life and raised worries on fuel leaks and harm to the delicate Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site

SL navy arrests 9 Indian fishermen for alleged maritime boundary violation

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 9 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly violating its maritime boundary, a state Fisheries department official here said on Tuesday. Two mechanised boats were also seized. The fishermen, belonging to Mandapam in the district, set sail for fishing on Monday morning and were apprehended late last night between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu, the official added.

India-Saudi Arabia bilateral maritime exercise conducted successfully

The sea phase of the second edition of bilateral exercise 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23', between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) has been conducted successfully, officials said on Saturday. The exercise was held from May 23-25 in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. "INS Tarkash, Subhadra and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) participated in the exercise from the Indian side. The RSNF was represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo and UAV, " the Indian Navy said. The three-day exercise at sea witnessed a wide spectrum of maritime operations. It culminated with debrief at sea followed by traditional steam past, officials said. The successful conduct of 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23' showcased a high degree of professionalism, interoperability and exchanges of best practices between the two navies, they said. The bilateral exercise met all its objectives and both sides intend to graduate to a more advanced level of exercises in the next edition, they said.

China, Japan trade accusations over infringement on maritime territory

China's dispute with Japan over tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea is heating up again, with both sides accusing the other of infringing on their maritime territory. China says the islands belong to it and refuses to recognize Japan's claim to the uninhabited chain known as the Senkakus in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Taiwan also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyutai, but has signed access agreements for its fishermen with Japan and does not actively take part in the dispute. China routinely sends coast guard vessels and planes into waters and airspace surrounding the islands to harass Japanese vessels in the area and force Japan to scramble jets in response. On Wednesday, a Chinese coast guard spokesperson said Chinese vessels had expelled some Japanese vessels which had illegally entered the territorial waters. The unidentified official said its moves were routine measures to safeguard sovereignty and maritime interests. Japan's coast guard on Thursd

Navy extends watch over the Indian Ocean region: Ministry of Defence

Now the IFC-IOR's partnership with the RCOC, Seychelles, allows the Indian Navy to focus its watch further south

Parliament passes anti-piracy bill to ensure India's maritime security

Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill which provides for prevention of maritime piracy and stringent punishment to those convicted of such crimes. The Rajya Sabha passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill 2022 by voice vote on Wednesday. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. Moving the bill for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said it has provisions for the prevention of maritime piracy, will strengthen India's maritime security and give it an effective legal instrument to combat the menace. The bill will also enable the country fulfil its international obligations and improve India's standing at global forums. "Ensuring maritime security is key to safeguard India's security and economic wellbeing," he said. The bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Standing Committee on External Affairs for examination. Jaishankar said the ministry had held several rounds of extensive ...

Lok Sabha passes Anti-maritime Piracy Bill to promote trade security

Lok Sabha passed the Anti-maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 that seeks to provide an effective legal instrument to combat piracy not only in territorial waters and the EEZ but also on the high seas

India advocates free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh

Amid China's growing assertiveness, defence minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed India's call for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific region

India supports strengthening maritime security in Gulf of Guinea

India vowed to support all national, regional and international efforts for strengthening maritime security, including in the Gulf of Guinea, in consultation with countries of the region

Third, and the biggest, edition of coastal defence exercise from today

"Coastal security being a major sub-set of coastal defence, the concept of 'Exercise Sea Vigil' is to activate the coastal security apparatus across India," stated the Ministry of Defence

US-India intersessional meeting and dialogue on maritime security next week

A group of senior US officials will travel to India next week to attend the US-India 2+2 Intersessional Meeting and Maritime Security Dialogue, according to the State Department. The delegation visiting India during September 5-8 will be led by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu. Its objective is to deepen the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the department said in a statement on Saturday. Lu will be joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Camille Dawson for a Quad Senior Officials Meeting and Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner for a US-India 2+2 Intersessional Meeting and Maritime Security Dialogue, it said. "The delegation will meet with senior Indian officials to discuss ways in which the United States and India can expand our cooperation to support a free and open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure ...

China's tensions with Indonesia may spike over Natuna Islands issue

Indonesian president Widodo Joko even signed an order to divide the Natuna marine area into regulated zones

India gifts Dornier aircraft to strengthen maritime security of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was present at the impressive handover ceremony which took place on a day when India celebrated its 76th Independence Day

India committed to tackle maritime challenges through collaboration: Bhat

Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhat said India was committed to tackling maritime challenges through a collaborative and regulation-based system to foster growth in coastal nations.

Coast Guard DG VS Pathania calls on Rajnath, discusses maritime security

Indian Coast Guard Director General VS Pathania called on Rajnath Singh and discussed operational preparedness of the maritime force and readiness to ensure safety and security in seas.

Indian Navy a preferred security partner for its maritime neighbours: Prez

The Indian Navy is looked upon as a preferred security partner by the country's maritime neighbours and it has a huge role to play in furthering India's foreign policy, President Kovind said

Indian Coast Guard now one of world's prime maritime forces: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the Indian Coast Guard had initially started with less than than six boats and today it has more than 150 ships, and 66 aircraft

India, Vietnam carry out bilateral maritime drill in South China Sea

India and Vietnam navies have carried out bilateral maritime exercise in the South China Sea, the Indian navy said on Wednesday.

At UNSC debate, PM Modi puts forward 5 principles for maritime security

PM put forward 5 principles, including removing barriers for maritime trade and peaceful settlement of disputes, on the basis of which global roadmap for maritime security cooperation can be prepared