Indian Navy mulling increase in warships to fight Somalian pirates

New Delhi, Nov.20 : A senior officer of the Indian Navy on Thursday said that the Indian Government is seriously considering a proposal to increase the number of warships in the Gulf of Aden to counter piracy in the area.

Speaking off the record, the naval officer said: "Yes, we are considering a proposal to increase the number of warships in Gulf of Aden to fight the pirates and to protect merchant ships flying the Indian flag."

India currently has a stealth guided missile frigate in the Gulf of Aden and the warship, INS Tabar.

The latter successfully defended two merchant vessels that came under pirate attack last week and sank a mother ship of the sea brigands on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Shipping is said to have forwarded the proposal for the increase the number of warships, sources said.

The Navy is of the view that that deploying its warships and other assets indefinitely is next to impossible.

India is seeking a collaborative effort at the international level to ward off the piracy menace.

ANI