The Issue of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia

India’s Stand

India’s Profile

India has a strong and developing maritime industry.

Natural advantage: large geography, large young population, long coastline– 7th largest in Area: 2,973,193 sq km– 2nd in population: 1,173,108,018– 7500 km coastline

20th in international trade.

India’s Profile

Top ten largest trading partners of India (2008-09)Country Total Trade Trade Balance

China PRP 163,202 -92,676USA 155,353 12,254

United Arab Emirates 152,668 -1934

Saudi Arabia 105,602 -64303Germany 67,602 -19497Singapore 63,280 2934UK 50114 524Hong Kong 50,129 1772Belgium 41552 -5294Netherland 33099 19049Source: Federal Ministry of Commerce, Government of India

Indo-Somalia ties

India shared bilateral relations with Somalia India and Somalia enjoyed excellent political,

economical and cultural relationship previously In recent years, India has also aided in peace keeping

operations in Somalia Somalia has sought India's help in training of disarmed

militias, rehabilitation, modernization and equipment of the reactivated military and police camps, training of staff in human health sector and rehabilitation of public infrastructures.

Situation Analysis

Somali Piracy

Foreign Exploitation

Illegal Fishing

Illegal Waste Disposal

Political Instability

Disintegration of Armed Force

Inadequacy of Government

Weaponry Funding

Yemen

Situation Analysis:Foreign Exploitation

Illegal Fishing: The UK's Department for International Development

(DFID) report (2005) 2003-2004, Somalia lost over $100 million dollars in revenue due to

illegal tuna and shrimp fishing in the country's exclusive economic zone by foreign trawlers.

More than $300m-worth of tuna, shrimp, and lobster has been lost in recent years

71% of Somali labour force involved in Agriculture 29% of the labour force is involved in Industry and Service With the access foreign trawlers invading Somali exclusive economic zones 73% of Somali fisherman turned to piracy

Hence little alternatives careers besides fishing

Situation Analysis:Foreign Exploitation

Illegal Waste Disposal: Reports show, after the collapse of the Somali

Government in 1991 Increase “mysterious” ships appearing off Somalia’s Coast No hard evidence in which determines waste disposal’s origins

Signs of nuclear and industrial wastes within waters Cause dwindling sources of marine agriculture to deplete at even faster

rate.

No legitimate way in which disposal can be stopped

Situation Analysis:Political Instability

Disintegration of Armed Force: Collapse of the Government in 1991

Led to the de facto dissolution of the national armed forces. Subsequent disbanding of Somali Navy No stable Navy till June 2009 The Somali navy was re-established with a new commander appointed:

Admiral Farah Omar Ahmed May 2010, construction of new naval base in the town of Bandar Siyada

Somali piracy reasoned as an unofficial “Navy” Lack of stable navy militants to protect exclusive waters

in past decade and predicted 12 years to come.

Situation Analysis:Political Instability

Inadequacy of Government: Inconsistent Legal System

No national system A mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic sharia law, and

Somali customary law

Inapt Education system 50% of Somali children enrolled in elementary schools 7% enrolled in high school Less than 1% were in institutions of higher learning. Literacy level 25%

Lack of proper Legal and Education system result in the inability for locals to obtain better or alternative careers

Situation Analysis:Weaponry & Funding

Yemen: SANA'A, Dec. 27— A UN investigation found Yemen is

the primary source of arms and ammunition Somalia which has been under an arms embargo since 1992. Yemeni government's inability to stem the large scale arms trafficking is "a

key obstacle to the restoration of peace and security to Somalia…” The UN Security Council extended the monitoring group's mandate for

another year.

No direct actions have been taken against Yemen for the supply of weaponry

India’s Stand

It is expected that the epicentre of maritime trade would touch India in the near future.

India supports the United Nation’s resolution to combat Somali piracy in that region to protect maritime industry.

Welcomes support from countries Especially countries in which are main trading partners with India and

countries whose trade routes are generally affected by Somali piracy

Proposed Solutions

Somali Piracy

Provision of Aid

Direct Combating of Piracy

Development in Naval Security

Proposed Solutions:Provision of Aid

Long-term developmental Aid Development of suitable education system

Aim to increase literacy level in Somalia Provision of necessary equipment and material in which is needed for education

Development of raw material industry Largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural

gas, likely oil reserves Aid in developing a stable political system, development of areas near resource

Provide suitable conditions in which attract investors to Somalia Hence increasing employment rate in Somalia Also providing more skills training and transfer of technology and knowledge

from the investor’s country

Proposed Solutions:Direct Combating of Piracy

Provision of War Ships in areas where Piracy rates are high Areas Include:

1. Gulf of Aden2. Coastlines of Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania

Provide short-term protection against piracy To ease situation while development acts are underway To protect vessels which are travelling through these regions

Proposed Solutions:Development in Naval Security

Aid Somalia in their Military development Provide Somali Navy in skills training and operations of Naval Ships Allow Somali Navy to be able to guard its own waters from foreign trawlers and

waste disposal ships

Increase the amount of Militants Increase job ability and military size Provide more incentives for new recruits

Conclusion

India has already begun aiding Somalia’s development and also in peacekeeping activities in Somalia

Somalia would more readily accept India’s aid due to their previous relations and requests.

India’s position in the World Trade Organisation(WTO) can help aid Somalia like the many other developing countries we have already represented in WTO meetings.

Prior experience in aiding developing nations such as Korea, Egypt and Congo in earlier years, Angola and Rwanda in recent years.