The workshop is being organised by the Indian Coast Guard in cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). Presently, 20 countries are members of the ReCAAP. Officials of concerned ministries and members of the Diplomatic Corps are attending the workshop. The participants are being trained on issues related to piracy and armed robberies such as international laws, prosecution process, forensics and emerging threats.

The workshop was inaugurated by Additional Director General, Indian Coast Guard V S R Murthy along with Mr Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Murthy recognised the efforts of ReCAAP in developing the framework to address the menace of piracy and armed robbery and facilitating information exchange between various stakeholders. He highlighted the fact that capacity building remains one of the most significant pillars of cooperation under the ReCAAP agreement. He said India has played a leading role in this aspect by hosting this workshop for the third time.

Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC Masafumi Kuroki in his opening remarks appreciated the steps taken by Indian agencies especially by Indian Coast Guard in ensuring safe and secure seas for the seafarers. He also conveyed that information sharing is a shared responsibility of the governments and the shipping industry and the purpose of information sharing would be better served if it is accurate and shared in real time.