India worried about maritime security: Ronen Sen

Washington, Apr 9 : India's Ambassador to the United States, Ronen Sen, has said New Delhi is worried about the maritime challenges like piracy, terrorism and trafficking of narcotics, arms and human beings in the Indian Ocean region, where it has vital stakes.

Addressing participants at a workshop on "The Indian Ocean Region Today" at the National Defence University (NDU) here, Ambassador Sen said: "We are seriously concerned about the maritime challenges posed by the increase in piracy, terrorism, trafficking of narcotics, arms, and also human beings"

India has unfortunately faced these threats, much before their global nature was fully recognized, he said, adding that the bomb blasts which claimed hundreds of lives in Mumbai in 1993 were caused by explosives smuggled by sea.

"Our country is located at the natural junction of important sea-lanes. The maritime area around India is among the busiest in the world, with over 100,000 ships crossing it every year," he further said.

India will continue regular joint exercises with the US and other major navies with increasing frequency for enhancing maritime security, he added.

The workshop was organised jointly by the NDU, Johns Hopkins University and Lockheed Martin.

ANI