THE India-China-Japan naval consortium will soon be joined by South Korea for coordinated naval patrols and escorting of merchant vessels in the piracy-infested Gulf of Aden, according to Exim News Service.
India, China and Japan had agreed to coordinate their naval activities to strengthen anti-piracy efforts in January. South Korean efforts should be set in motion by next month.
Under the first cycle, the Chinese Navy played the "lead" or "reference" force for three months, with the Indian and Japanese navies plugging any gaps. The second cycle commenced in April and saw India head forces in the trilateral arrangement.
Since October 2008, Indian warships have ensured the safety of nearly 2,000 vessels, from about 50 countries, passing through the Gulf of Aden. |
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Source: transportweekly
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