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“Maritime tension with Pakistan down”

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Tensions with Pakistan over the arrests of fishermen have eased but the commissioning of the Sethusamudram project will give rise to fresh security concerns, Vice Admiral Rustom Faramroze Contractor said here on Thursday. He was speaking at a press conference to mark the 31st anniversary of the Coast Guard.

Questioned about the Sethusamudram project, he acknowledged the sea link, “will have security implications” because the narrow channel could be prone to piracy. A sunken ship could also block the channel, he said, adding that the Navy and the Coast Guard have conveyed to the government their concerns and the responses required.

But, he rejected suggestions that the canal, which will allow ships to pass between Sri Lanka and India, will make Tamil Nadu more vulnerable to illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka. “In fact we are seeing a decline in illegal immigration.” Tamil Nadu had granted refugee status to only 3,779 people in 2007 compared to four times that number in 2006.

A hotline between the Coast Guard Chiefs and awareness programmes among fishermen substantially reduced incidents of maritime boundary violations between India and Pakistan. The number of Indians arrested by Pakistani authorities declined from 1,171 in 2004-5 to only 265 in 2007. “We have round-the-clock surveillance of the border and we shepherd boats back when they near the border,” said Vice Admiral Contractor.

The enhanced cooperation between the two Coast Guards was also expected to reduce the time Indian trespassers remained in Pakistani custody.

“In the past fishermen have had to wait three to four years before they can return, and the government has spent a lot supporting their families. It’s a legal process in Pakistan, but I think it [the hotline] will make the process quicker,” said the Coast Guard Chief.

Vice Admiral Contractor announced plans to procure more helicopters and surveillance planes to complement the existing fleet of 45 aircraft.

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