India today said that it gives top priority to safe and secure seas. Addressing the firstever meeting of Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in South Asian region that kicked off in New Delhi today, Defence Minister AK Antony said that India remains committed to maritime safety and security under international laws.Urging the Asian nations including Pakistan and Maldives to come together to fight the menace 0f piracy,Mr.Antony said the only way is to make the security forces work with alacrity.He said that piracy and maritime terrorism are destabilising the economy of the countries in the region.Saying that fifty per cent of international trade passes through asian region ,he said that piracy and armed robbery is the greatest challenge before them.

The HACGAM discussions include law enforcement, maritime security, disaster prevention and relief and capacity building and coastguard related issues. The initiative consists of 17 countries and one region. These include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Co-hosted by the Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard ,this is eighth in the series of meetings held so far in Asian cities.

HACGAM is an apex level forum facilitating congregation of all the major Coast Guard Agencies of Asian region. This initiative was developed initially in 2004 to discuss cooperation among the member organizations to combat piracy in the region.

The HACGAM is conducted every year and seven such meetings have been conducted till date. In earlier years, it has been held in places like Tokyo, Putrajaya (Malaysia), Singapore, Manila, Bali, Shanghai and Hanoi.