Piracy Armed Robbery in Indian Ocean
Source: Business Line
GS II: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
Overview
- News in Brief
- What are the reported incidents?
- Indian Ocean
Why in the News?
Piracy and armed robbery in the Indian Ocean jumped 20% in 2023.
News in Brief
- The ongoing months-long turbulence in oceans has been captured in a report the Indian Navy released.+
- The monthly average incidents also rose from 13 in 2022 to about 16 in 2023, pointed out the report compiled by the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), a regional maritime security centre hosted by the Indian Navy in Gurugram.
- It stated piracy and armed robbery in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) witnessed a 20 per cent jump in 2023.
- It has 194 incidents recorded last year in comparison to 161 in 2022.
What are the reported incidents?
- Hijacking, kidnapping, illegal boarding, attack, sea robbery, and theft attempted incidents have been put together.
- 78 per cent of reported incidents involved no violence.
- Isolated instances of violence resulted in severe injuries and death of a person.
- While piracy and armed robbery remained suppressed in most regions, South East Asia saw a surge, accounting for 103 incidents.
- East Africa experienced a significant increase, notably in hijacking of dhows off the coast of Somalia and petty thefts off Mauritius.
- Sea theft is the most reported at 43 per cent of total incidents.
- Bulk carriers, tankers, and pleasure crafts are the most targeted vessels.
- Most incidents occurred at night (83 per cent) and involved small groups of perpetrators.
Challenges in the Gulf of Eden
- Ongoing conflicts, hinting between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and recent developments in the Red Sea, indicating Iran-backed Houthi’s attacks on commercial vessels, coupled with the removal of High-Risk Area with effect from January 1, 2023.
- Depleting fishing stocks due to increased illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities is likely to pose challenges.
Indian Ocean
- The Indian Ocean is a vast body of water bounded by Africa to the west, Asia to the north, Australia to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.
- It covers an area of approximately 70.56 million square kilometres, making it the third-largest ocean in the world.
About the Indian Ocean
- Geography
- The Indian Ocean is characterized by its unique geography, including numerous islands, archipelagos, and important maritime chokepoints.
- Major features include the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, and the Red Sea.
- Trade and Commerce
- The Indian Ocean has historically been a vital maritime trade route, connecting the economies of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
- It facilitates the transportation of goods, energy resources, and raw materials, with over 80% of global trade by volume and 70% by value being conducted via maritime routes.
- Resource Wealth
- The Indian Ocean is rich in natural resources, including fish stocks, oil, natural gas, minerals, and marine biodiversity.
- Countries bordering the Indian Ocean rely on these resources for economic development, food security, and energy production.
- Strategic Importance
- Due to its strategic location, the Indian Ocean has geopolitical significance for both regional and global powers.
- Major maritime powers, including India, China, the United States, and various Indian Ocean littoral states, have strategic interests in maintaining security, stability, and freedom of navigation in the region.
- Maritime Security Challenges
- The Indian Ocean faces various maritime security challenges, including piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and environmental degradation.
- Efforts to address these challenges require cooperation among regional and international stakeholders through initiatives such as joint patrols, information sharing, capacity building, and legal frameworks.
- Regional Cooperation
- There are several regional organizations and initiatives aimed at promoting cooperation and dialogue among Indian Ocean littoral states.
- Examples include the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), and the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
- Environmental Concerns
- The Indian Ocean is increasingly vulnerable to environmental threats, including climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, and habitat destruction.
- These issues pose risks to marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and biodiversity, necessitating concerted efforts to mitigate and adapt to environmental change.
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