U.S., India to Increase Maritime Security

The U.S. and India agreed to beef up maritime security to prevent the use of shipping containers for smuggling weapons of mass destruction and other trans-national crimes, the Times of India reported. Reaffirming their commitment to the free flow of commerce and to the safety of navigation at sea, the two countries agreed to conclude a Maritime Cooperation Framework to enhance security on the high seas. This will allow the two sides to prevent piracy and other trans-national crimes at sea, carry out search and rescue operations, combat marine pollution, respond to natural disasters, address emergent threats and enhance cooperative capabilities, including through logistics support. (Source: Times of India)