The Hindu Business Line : Naval air base to tackle piracy

In its bid to tackle the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, India is to set up a naval air base in Muscat, and the Omanese authorities are believed to have cleared India’s proposal in this regard. This is not surprising, according to Capt. P.V.K. Mohan, Chairman of National Shipping Board. After all, India took the lead in meeting the challenge thrown up by the piracy in that region.

The Navy sunk one mother pirate vessel and not only got Indian flag carriers released from the control of the Somali pirates but also ensured the release of other vessels held in captivity, particularly those with Indian crew on board. The frigate INS Mysore captured 23 pirates and handed them over to the Yemen Government. India, as Capt. Mohan said, also successfully took up with the United Nations the issue of the amendment to the relevant IMO resolution relating to combating piracy and a new resolution, 1856, was adopted.

Meanwhile, NSB has been reconstituted with the induction of six Members of Parliament — four from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha members are Mr P.S. Gadhavi, Mr K.V. Thangkabalu, Mr Anant Gangaram Geete and Mr Ram Kirpal Yadav. The Rajya Sabha members are Mr T.G. Balakrishna Pillai and Mr Su. Thirunavakkarasu. With this, the strength of NSB has risen to 22.

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