India, UN chief voice concern over maritime terrorism, piracy

IANS: Countering terrorism on the seas and ensuring maritime safety are central to India’s national security and economic interests, India’s Permanent Representative P Harish said.

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"India views maritime security and countering terrorism as central to its national security and economic interests," Harish said.

But "India’s maritime security strategy is broad and multifaceted", he said, as it takes on "both traditional threats from state actors and nontraditional threats" from terrorism, piracy, hybrid threats, smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal fishing.

The threats from terrorism and piracy were of concern also for others who spoke at the Security Council open debate on strengthening maritime security.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said no country is spared from the scourges "from piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organised crime, to destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure, to terrorism in the maritime domain".

"And the problem is getting worse", he warned.