There has been a remarkable decrease in piracy and armed robbery in Indian waters, said Lee Yin Mui, assistant director for research at the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).
There was only one incident of armed robbery in Indian waters as of March this year.
"There was also a remarkable decrease in the number of incidents of armed robbery in Indian waters," said Lee.
She highlighted the continuous efforts of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) towards deployment of the operational units at sea/air in the region.
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"We are pleased to note the significant decrease of the number of incidents last year, but we should not be complacent to think that this is the long-term trend," cautioned Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director, ReCAAP ISC.
"When you see the resurgence of piracy in the waters off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden after five years of absence, unfortunately, the piracy and sea robbery do not disappear so easily," he noted.
"The perpetrators are looking for an opportunity for any mode of piracy and sea robbery, as far as it is lucrative. Therefore, we need to be prepared for different types of maritime crimes," said Kuroki.
International organisation, law enforcement agency and shipping associations shared their views at the conference.
ReCAAP is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. So far, 20 countries have become Contracting Parties to the group.
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