The United States has supported India’s fears of terrorists using sea routes and suggested India to introduce some counter-measures such as Container Security Initiative to prevent terrorists’ movement in those areas.
Earlier, Defence Minister A K Antony and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan had said about the fears of terrorists using sea routes to get into Indian territory.
Top US Admiral Timothy J Keating said in New Delhi that such kinds of fears were realistic in nature because terrorists are feeling shortened in their present sanctuaries and hideouts. He later said that the possibilities of terrorists using maritime domain are actually alive in such conditions.
Keating said after meeting with top defence officials that the possibility of terrorists using sea routes is really a big threat and such attacks or attempts to attack have already taken place on some US Naval ships and on commercial shipping lines.
He said:
The US has stressed in these meetings with Indian brass that there can’t be any let up in pressure mounted on terrorists. They should not be given time and space to regroup. Our commitment to fight the terrorists should be unwavering.
Keating, Commander of the key US Pacific Command, also said that there is a need to start a joint strategy to combat such threats. The US is asking number of like-minded countries, including India, to evolve a single policy on counter terrorism measures like the Container Security Initiative to counter such threats. It would help the countries in sharing of data base to keep track of terrorist movements.
Earlier, US had floated the idea of the Container Security Initiative after 9/11 terror attack and specified that all cargo bound for America will be checked by the US US customs at the originating ports.
The government of India has already discussed to introduce the CSI in India and the government has reportedly moved to designate Jawaharlal Nehru port at Vishakapatnam under CSI. The US customs will have a post at the port to check all cargo bound for America from India.
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