Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday rejected the Navy’s request for a greater role in tackling piracy by conducting joint patrols off the Somali coast and employing any means necessary to protect Indian sailors.While asserting that India will find a ‘solution’ to rescue Indians onboard the hijacked MT Stolt Valor — taken on by pirates in the Gulf of Aden last week — Antony said patrolling would not serve any purpose. Antony also said India could not take offensive action against pirates who have hijacked the Stolt Valor as the merchant ship is berthed at a Somali port and India does not have an agreement with the country to send in troops.“The problem is that we have no agreement with Somalia on this. We are trying our best but the ship is at a Somali port and we have no agreement (to tackle the situation). We can act only as per the law,” Antony told mediapersons at the sidelines of the Coast Guard Commanders conference in the capital.Replying to queries on the Navy’s request to tackle piracy, the minister said the Gulf of Aden has become a ‘‘very dangerous place’’ and despite the presence of several navies, 27 incidents of piracy have taken place in the region. “Major naval powers such as US, France, UK and Canada are already carrying out joint patrolling there but despite their presence these incidents are happening. As many as 27 ships have been hijacked in the area despite the patrols,” he said.While Antony has made it clear that the Navy will not be given a free hand to tackle piracy given the present laws, the Navy contends that the Chief of Naval Staff be given direct authority to sanction action against pirates on the high seas. The Navy had requested clearance to draw up guidelines — specifying the force and method needed — to tackle piracy.
