Common Futures

security
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has been a primary threat facing Indian Ocean sea
lanes of communication. Following escalation of Somali piracy, India was
among the first nations to begin anti-piracy operations in the area in October
2008. Four years hence, the Indian Navy had escorted over 2100 merchant
vessels, Indian and foreign, and till now, has prevented 40 piracy attempts on
such ships.
It is in this context that the southern and southwestern parts of the Indian
Ocean become commons for both India and the eastern littoral and island
states of Africa 2 to engage in for shared growth, common security and mutual
benefit. This is particularly true given India’s rise and growing Afro-optimism.
India is looking to build upon its advantageous geographic location in the
Indian Ocean and secure its vital interests; resource-rich eastern African
littorals are showing the most promising growth trajectories in the continent
and are increasingly turning towards the Indian Ocean. From the first India-
Africa Forum Summit declaring the two “neighbours across the Indian
Ocean,” to the Addis Ababa Declaration welcoming Indian efforts to protect
shipping in the Indian Ocean from piracy, there is growing interest in, and
recognition of the potential for, a multifaceted maritime relationship in these
waters that addresses shared maritime concerns and prospects.
Combating maritime security threats
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has been a primary threat facing Indian Ocean
sea lanes of communication. Following escalation of Somali piracy, India was
among the first nations to begin anti-piracy operations in the area in October
2008. Four years hence, the Indian Navy had escorted over 2100 merchant
vessels, Indian and foreign, and till now, has prevented 40 piracy attempts on
such ships. 3 Given proximity to the region in question, Seychelles’ coast guard
has also become increasingly involved in counter-piracy. 4 Following dedicated
involvement from several nations individually, jointly or in combined task
forces, piracy in the Gulf of Aden has declined. From their peak in 2011
when attacks occurred almost daily, it has now been almost three years since
Somali pirates last successfully hijacked a vessel. The Gulf of Guinea and East
Asia are the new piracy hotspots.
However, the United Nations and the International Maritime Bureau sound a
note of caution. The security situation is far from being resolved: Governance
2 Comprising Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania.
3 “Anti piracy operations,” Indian Navy, http://indiannavy.nic.in/operations/anti-piracy-operations;
G.V.C. Naidu, “India, Africa and the Indian Ocean,” Journal of the Indian Ocean Region 9, no.12
(2012): 201-202.
4 In March 2010, Seychelles Coast Guard sank two pirate vessels and rescued 27 hostages.
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