Indian Coast Guard in surveillance pact with U.S., Japan

--- NEW DELHI

The Indian Coast Guard on Jan. 30 said it had entered into a pact with the U.S. and Japan that ensures almost seamless scrutiny of shipping lanes stretching from the Indian Ocean to the western seaboard of America.

The Coast Guard has also sought powers to inspect all vessels calling at Indian ports or operating in Indian waters to prevent smuggling and damage to environment and to check terrorism, the Coast Guard chief, Vice Admiral Sureesh Mehta, said ahead of the 27th foundation day of the force on Feb. 1.

For this, the Coast Guard has suggested a hub-and-spoke system of operations for greater coordination with the police forces of India's coastal states, Mehta added.

And, in keeping with its increasing responsibilities, the Coast Guard is set for a major expansion that, by 2017, will see it operating 146 ships, 100 aircraft and helicopters and 12 hovercraft, against its present strength of 55 ships, 24 aircraft and 19 helicopters.

Speaking of the surveillance system, Mehta said though there were some gaps, the involvement of countries like Indonesia and South Korea ensured that the vast stretch of water from the Indian Ocean to the North Pacific Ocean was largely under observation 24 hours a day.

"The system is working because the three major maritime powers of the area --- India, Japan and the US --- are involved. This ensures ships sailing through the area take the surveillance seriously," Mehta contended.

He said the Coast Guard had sought greater powers as the International Ship and Port Security Code that comes into force on July 1 would greatly increase its responsibilities.

"Therefore, we have requested the government for powers to inspect all vessels before they enter Indian ports. There are too many loopholes in the present laws and these need to be plugged," he pointed out.

The Coast Guard has sought powers to verify the ownership, cargo and seaworthiness of ships before they enter Indian ports, for greater powers to deal with foreign trawlers operating in Indian waters and for closer inspection of container shipments arriving at Indian ports.

The opening up of the Indian economy, coupled with globalisation, had led to larger numbers of Indian and foreign-owned ships operating under flags of convenience --- and this had implications for the country's security.

"We have to verify a ship's papers, the antecedents of its crew and the correctness of its cargo manifest. This will ensure the vessel is not engaged in smuggling, be it arms or other goods, and also that the vessel is seaworthy," Mehta said.

Noting that there have been 43 shipwrecks in Indian waters in the past five years, seven in the last year alone, he said: "Many of these could have been prevented if we had inspected the vessels for their seaworthiness before they entered port."

Shipwrecks, apart from blocking harbour approaches, also posed a pollution threat, he added.

The Coast Guard, which has a Rs. 70 billion budget for the 2002-07 period, is enhancing its presence along the coast by establishing 10 new bases to increase surveillance capabilities.

The force currently has seven bases and four air stations.

The new bases will be located in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh.