By Liz Mathew, IANS
Port Blair (India) : Naval delegates from 12 countries are meeting in this island town to discuss maritime threats, including terrorism, drug trafficking and environmental degradation.
Ships and delegations have arrived in the picturesque Andaman waters from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei to join the Indian vessels.
A key point of discussion in the six-day meet is the security of the Malacca Straits – the efficacy of coordinated patrolling, armed piracy and robbery, regional initiatives to combat maritime terrorism, enhancing maritime domain awareness and increasing maritime surveillance besides natural disasters.
“The Asia Pacific region’s islands and peninsulas, wedged between the Pacific and Indian oceans, border major arteries of communication and commerce,” said Air Marshal S. Radhakrishnan, commander in chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN).
The six-day event, Milan 08, began Jan 18.
The biennial conglomeration of the Asia Pacific Maritime Navies, in which nine Asian countries are taking part, is expected to give a push to India’s Look East Policy.
Experts point out that the naval meet is significant as it indicates the participant countries’ willingness to work with India to keep surveillance over the waters around the Andaman and the Malacca Straits.
“The dangers include non-state trans-national crime in the form of piracy, gun and drug running and maritime terrorism, environmental degradation in terms of millions of tonnes of effluents and pollutants being pumped into the sea,” said Radhakrishan.
According to the CINCAN, Milan 08 will also focus on cooperation between the littoral countries to face the effects of natural disasters.
“Maritime security thus is at the forefront of our concerns,” Radhakrishnan said, adding that no single country could effectively contain the threats by its singular actions.
The event has assumed significance in view of increasing maritime trade and the need to safeguard the sea lanes from terrorist activities.
The event will also showcase the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar Islands and its rich heritage to visitors.
The event will culminate with a colourful march by the naval personnel, school children, NCC and police contingents, a motorcycle display by the army, aerobatic show by the Indian Air Force frontline supersonic fighters and water para-jumps by the Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos.
The visiting ships and delegates will have a ceremonial see-off Jan 23 from the Naval wharf.