MOSCOW — A suggestion about creating a maritime security body in the United Nations Security Council was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 9 to address maritime crimes, piracy, and maritime terrorism.
At the UN Security Council, Putin said that Moscow would be ensuring security in the Persian Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean amid a global surge in piracy-related incidents, including a robbery at sea accompanied by taking of hostages.
“Unfortunately, there are also many threats along sea routes,” said Putin.
“And that is why it is so important that today we are considering substantive, practical issues related to the fight against piracy of the 21st century, meaning to establish a more effective counteraction to transnational crime and prevent the use of seas and oceans for criminal purposes.”
The Russian President said that the proposed structure could rely on the support of UN member states and that it could actively cooperate with experts, representatives of civil society, scientists, and even business people.
“We hope that our partners will constructively consider the Russian proposal,” said Putin.
Russia, he said, is also interested in building productive relations with the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Commission.
The high-level debate on ‘Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation’ held a video conference at the UN Security Conference.
The meeting is attended by several heads of state and government of the UN Security Council member states and high-level briefers from the UN System and key regional organizations.
India took over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council from France on Aug. 1. This is India’s first presidency in the United Nations Security Council during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
On Aug. 5, the Ministry of External Affairs informed that the high-level virtual open debate of the UN Security Council would be chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting was held under the Agenda Item Maintenance of International Peace and Security on Aug. 9, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
Speaking at the debate, US Secretary Anthony Blinken thanked India for its leadership and bringing all the countries together to recommit and strengthen the maritime rules and principles.
“I’m grateful for India’s leadership in bringing us together today and calling on all nations to recommit to defending and strengthening the maritime rules and principles that we forge together and committed to uphold,” Blinken said.
In a recent development, major European countries are sending their naval firepower to the Indo-Pacific in a show of support for Washington’s efforts to curb Beijing’s militarization of the South China Sea.
Putin also thanked Modi for holding the convention.
“Let me thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for the fact that you, as someone who is currently holding the UN Security Council presidency, convened this Security Council meeting to discuss an important and sensitive topic, namely, modern challenges and threats in maritime security,” said Putin in the release.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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