India has said it is ready to provide security in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest sea lanes and a victim of rising high seas piracy. External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, who is here to attend the Asean plus 3 meetings and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), was reacting to a request made by the three littoral states - Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
| They didn't want the U.S. Navy butting in. |
Singh said it was in India's national interest to ensure that the Strait remained a crime-free sea lane.
| It's in everyone's interest. Plus, it gives India's navy a workout. |
"From our side it is affirmative...details can be worked out but in principal yes," Singh told the local Jakarta Post. Singh said such cooperation is not new to India. "We are neighbours. Nicobar island and the northern part of Sumatra are only 80 miles apart.
| And your warships off-shore will drive that point home. |
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