India is set to deepen its engagement with the Singapore-based Information Sharing Centre (ISC) of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), its Executive Director Vijay D. Chafekar has said.
Speaking to PTI, Chafekar noted that closer cooperation is expected with India’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the country’s focal point under ReCAAP, to enhance maritime safety across Asian waters. India is a founding member of the 21-nation grouping, established to promote regional cooperation on maritime security.
Chafekar said the nature of maritime crime has shifted in recent years, with most incidents involving the theft of engine and machinery spares for parallel markets. He added that there have been no recent cases of crew kidnapping or vessel hijacking. ReCAAP is also seeing increased interest from countries outside Asia.
The organisation will mark its 20th anniversary with a high-level forum in Singapore this March, with senior Indian representation expected.
While cooperation with law enforcement agencies remains effective, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore continue to be a concern, recording an increase in sea robberies in 2025, largely petty thefts. India saw a marginal rise in incidents at anchorages, though arrests in Kakinada helped curb further cases.
ReCAAP ISC recorded 132 incidents across Asia last year, a 23 per cent rise from 2024, with only one involving an Indian-flagged vessel.
