India conveys to UNSC desire to use all means against piracy

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) Encouraged by global appreciation of its anti-piracy operations, India has sought greater role in curbing the menace and conveyed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) its desire to use all necessary means against piracy.

It is also awaiting the outcome of the new proposal about all countries tackling the menace under the UN banner.

The missive to the UNSC follows Indian Navy's ''retaliatory action'' against Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden yesterday in which the 'mother ship'' of the pirates was sunk.

Mr N Ravi, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, told reporters here today that the UN proposal is still under discussion and the countries are examining it.

A senior official of the External Affairs Ministry could not confirm the latest incident of piracy in which eight Indian nationals are among the hostages aboard an Iranian-owned ship M S Delight.

''We do not have any information yet. We are trying to confirm,'' the official said.

There are two Resolutions of the Security Council--1816 and 1838--which directly relate to piracy.

Resolution 1816 allows States to cooperate with the local government in Somalia against the menace while Resolution 1838 seeks meaasures under the UNSC.

''The government of India has conveyed to the Security Council President our desire to use all necessary measures to repress all piracy,'' Mr Ravi said in response to a question.

He said the Indian Navy took ''retaliatory action'' and sank the 'mother ship' of the pirates.

''Already two Resolutions of the UNSC permit all countries to take recourse to measures to deal with piracy. The new UN proposal is still under consideration. Something concrete will emerge after the countries arrive at a conclusion,'' Mr Ravi said.

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