India is working on establishing a mechanism of direct contact with the navies of various countries to avoid any misunderstanding in the international waters. The mechanism could involve a communication line like hotline between senior navy officers, as in the army.Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma

told a press conference in New Delhi today that the proposal is under examination of the Government.

Sources said, China is one of the countries with which India plans to have such a mechanism and the aim is to avert military confrontation due to misunderstandings.

The initiative assumes significance considering an incident a few months back in South China Sea when Indian Naval warship INS Airavat was reportedly asked by Chinese Navy to leave the maritime area.

The Chief of Naval staff further said that the piracy activities have shifted from Indian Ocean region to the East Arabian Sea. This has increased security concerns on Lakshadweep and Minikoy islands. He said, four ships have been deployed in the area and over 100 pirates apprehended. Admiral Verma said that the Navy is continuously facing low intensity threat in the sea. He said, Somalian piracy incidents in the Indian ocean region is continuously increasing with 228 incidents retported till November this year. He said that Indian Navy is copperating with regional and international navys in Indian Ocean region to check piracy.

On coastal security, Admiral Verma said that Naval deployment has increased by 70 percent while air support has been doubled. On acquisition plan, he said that the focus is on indigenously built warships and boats. In reply to a query on an Iranian vessel stationed in Indian water near Andaman for over a month inspite of India's protest, Admiral Verma said that the Ministry of External Affairs has taken up the matter with the Government of Iran and Navy is keeping a constant watch on the the evolving situation.