The Hindu : Front Page : Coordinated naval patrolling formalised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 25, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Coordinated naval patrolling formalised

R.K.Radhakrishnan

Indian and Sri Lankan navies are working out the arrangements, says Eastern Naval Commander

— Photo: R. Ragu

Sureesh Mehta.

CHENNAI: The `coordinated patrolling', which the Indian and Sri Lankan navies have taken up along the International Maritime Boundary Line, has been formalised.

Officers of both navies met on Thursday to work out the arrangements, Eastern Naval Commander, Sureesh Mehta, told The Hindu here on Friday. "We have finalised something just yesterday. We are working on the modalities... we have almost got it sorted out. And it will be in place very soon."

India and Sri Lanka began `coordinated patrolling' along the IMBL over six months ago on an experimental basis to ensure that there was no instance of firing at genuine fishermen and to prevent criminals from travelling freely between the countries.

During the experimental stage, many limitations of the forces were studied and a working methodology was evolved. These included the crossing of the international boundary line and identification of various types of crafts in the region. Both sides routinely exchanged information on the location of their vessels and details of suspicious activities in the region.

Admiral Mehta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command, said with the coordinated patrol in place, "gaps" in the boundary would be "covered better." "We will go at specified times to specified places, and make sure that no untoward incident takes place."

Asked if there had been any hostile activity in the region, he said nothing of importance had come to the Navy's notice. "Which means we are doing our job very well," he said on the sidelines of a national seminar on `India's Oceanic neighbours: emerging strategic issues and concerns.' The meet was organised by the Madras University Defence and Strategic Studies department and Chennai chapters of the Society for Indian Ocean Studies and the NDC Alumni Association.

Joint exercises

The Admiral, who inaugurated the seminar, said the Indian Navy had about 135 ships. The country had taken up joint exercises with many neighbours. Joint exercises with the PLA Navy might become a regular feature.

Vice Admiral (retd.) Mihir Roy, who presided, emphasised the need to accept the fact that the United States was also an Indian Ocean power given its large fleet presence in the region.

Gopalji Malviya, Head, Madras University Defence Studies Department, said Indian Ocean studies had changed a great deal over the decades.

"Now non-traditional threats to security are in the forefront. Earlier, the Cold War diplomacy was reflected in the Indian Ocean politics, now it is a cooperative security."

Commodore (retd.) Shekar said Madras University would confer M.Phil degree on those passing out of the NDC from this year.

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