CCS set up Inter-Ministerial Group to Release Indians on Hijacked Ships

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 11 March 2011 decided to set up an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to monitor the process of their release of 53 Indians on five hijacked ships being kept hostage in Somalia. The CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to set up an IMG under the Cabinet Secretary to act as an apex forum to monitor the early release of Indian ships or crew or cargo. At the meeting CCS also resolved to undertake several medium and long-term measures, including intensified efforts through the diplomatic channels to get the captives released and put an end to piracy.The committee approved a series of measures to be taken by the government to address the legal, administrative and operational aspects of combating piracy. A broad policy framework covering all these aspects was approved. It also decided to formulate suitable standard operating procedures for the Navy and coordination of its activities with counterparts in friendly foreign countries in the Gulf of Aden.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna mentioned in the Lok Sabha that efforts would be taken at the diplomatic level including at the United Nations. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on a Comprehensive Strategy for the Realisation of Peace and Security in Somalia on 10 March 2011 India articulated its position in this respect. India highlighted at the Security Council meeting that efforts would be taken for better coordination between the navies of India and friendly countries to fight piracy.

At the Security Council, India acknowledged the problems facing the transitional government in Somalia and assured all help in combating the severe drought sweeping across the country. India emphasised that it wanted the transitional government to control the Kismayo port to deny a major revenue source and inlet of logistics to the militant group, Al-Shabaab.