In huge victory against China, India wins with two-third majority vote for ReCAAP elections
Total Views |
New Delhi, Aug 7: In a huge victory for India against China, K Natarajan, the director-general of the Indian Coast Guard, was elected as the next executive director of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). The regional body has its headquarters in Singapore.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated Natarajan, saying that the award is a fitting recognition of India’s contribution to maritime security. “Congratulate DG Coast Guard for his election as the next Executive Director of ReCAAP, Singapore. A fitting recognition of our contribution to maritime security," Jaishankar said in a tweet.
The ReCAAP that consists 21-member countries, Natarajan from India received a two-thirds majority vote. On the other hand, the Philippines received three votes, while China received four. The new executive director is expected to take over in 2022, according to the reports.
According to preliminary results, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka supported the Modi administration, while other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand voted for China, and Singapore favoured the Philippines. Client states like Cambodia and Laos voted overwhelmingly in favour of Beijing.
Diplomats said almost all western countries, including members of the Quad - such as the United States, Australia, and Japan - voted for India. Other western countries that voted for India included Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway.
What is ReCAAP?
ReCAAP is Asia’s first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and strengthen collaboration in the fight against piracy and armed theft of ships.
The agreement was launched in November 2006 with 14 Asian contracting parties. The number has increased to 21 today, including European countries like Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
The 12th governing council meeting in 2018 announced that ReCAAP ISC has met the criteria to be a centre of excellence for information sharing in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea.