India is the new observer of “Djibouti Code of Conduct”

The Djibouti Code of Conduct is also called the Jeddah Amendment

• India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment as
  Observer following the high-level virtual meeting of the Djibouti Code of
  Conduct August 26, 2020
• India looks forward to working together with DCOC/JA member states towards
  coordinating and contributing to enhanced maritime security in the Indian
  Ocean Region
• Under the agreement, the countries agreed to work together to build national
  and regional capacity to address maritime security

Key highlights of the observer status

• India joined the DCOC/JA as an observer following a virtual meeting of the
  grouping on August 26
• India joins Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as observers of the grouping
• India’s joining of the grouping comes at a time China has been making
  concerted efforts to expand its military influence in the Indian Ocean Region
• As an Observer at the DCOC/JA, India looks forward to working together with
  DCOC/JA member states towards coordinating and contributing to enhanced
  maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region

Details about Djibouti Code of Conduct

• It is a regional maritime security cooperation agreement. It was established by
  International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2008
• The grouping consists of 19 member states adjoining Gulf of Aden, Red Sea,
  East Coast of Africa and Indian Ocean Region. India recently became an
  observer
• The other observers of the grouping are Norway, Japan, UK, US
• The member countries of DCOC are Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Comoros, Jordan,
  Djibouti, Maldives, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Oman, Mauritius, Saudi
  Arabia, South Africa, Seychelles, Somalia, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Yemen,
  United Republic of Tanzania

Agreements under Djibouti Code of Conduct

• To investigate, arrest and prosecute persons that are reasonably suspected to
  have committed piracy acts, robbery
• To intercept and seize suspected ships and property aboard
• To rescue persons, property and ships that is subjected to piracy and armed
  robbery
• To facilitate proper care and treatment of seafarers, fishermen and passengers
  subjected to such acts
• To provide authorized officials to embark on patrol ships of another signatory
• To conduct shared operations among the signatory states

What is Jeddah Agreement?

• The revised Djibouti Code of Conduct is called Jeddah Agreement
• Under the agreement, the countries agreed to work together to build national
  and regional capacity to address maritime security issues to enable sustainable
  development

Cooperation under the agreement

• Interdict ships or aircrafts that are suspected to have engaged in crimes
   To share information
   To ensure persons illicit activities are prosecuted
   To facilitate proper care, repatriation, treatment of maritime crime
  victims
• Apart from these, the Jeddah Agreement emphasizes on the importance of “blue
  economy” to support sustainable economic growth, food security, employment,
  prosperity and stability
• The participants under the Jeddah agreement agreed to develop a national
  strategy to develop maritime sector and a sustainable blue economy

Pic courtesy : affairscloud.com