New Delhi, March 14
In an attempt to formulate a potent anti-piracy force in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi has expressed its readiness to operate its naval warships as part of an armada of ships controlled and monitored by the United Nations. However, it may not agree to be a part of any US-led force at the sea.

India is pursuing to have a sea-based force of nations on the lines of the UN peacekeeping forces that are routinely deployed in strife torn areas. The US has made the offer to have bilateral force to patrol the sea lane of communication. This has so far not been accepted by the government, sources said. Meanwhile, on March 12, the Navy intercepted a pirate ship and nabbed 61 pirates and freed 13 seamen being held hostage. This is the third pirate ship targeted by Naval warships since January this year. ‘Vega 5’, a Mozambique-flagged fishing vessel, was hijacked in December last year and was thereafter being used as “mother vessel” by the pirates to carry out attacks of other ships.

Naval spokesperson Commander PVS Satish said INS Kalpeni had intercepted a pirate vessel called ‘Vega 5’ in the Arabian Sea about 600 nautical miles of Kochi.