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"Today, 70-75 global cargo is containerised. It is acknowledged that the container is the most likely means for terrorist organisations to illegally transport a nuclear weapon and, hence, there is a serious concern about container security," he said while inaugurating a seminar organised by the National Maritime Foundation in New Delhi.
He said entry of nuclear weapons through containers was only one aspect of the concern of security agencies and these should be scanned thoroughly to ensure 100 per cent security.
"Nuclear is only one aspect of it. We have to ensure 100 per cent security at ports by scanning them (containers) under X-ray machines. Every country has to accede to it that wherever, whichever port the container leaves from, that country certifies that this container is fully secure," Mehta said.
He said maritime regions were less regulated as compared to traffic on land.
Advocating for a Container Security Initiative (CSI) of the United States for ensuring fool-proof container security at ports, Mehta said, "CSI should be integral part of a country's security system. And if it is applicable only to the traffic that is moving towards US, then it is not a complete fool proof system."
Noting that threats emanating from seas have been responsible for the emergence of new security mechanisms such as the CSI, he said "With the emergence of new threats, there has been a need to revisit maritime security and this has led to emergence of number of security regimes".
He said India has had its reservations over CSI and it was perceived to be questioning the sovereignty of a country.
Drawing parallels between arrangements such as CSI and security at airports, he said, "Airport security system has been working fairly well over a large number of years. And a similar security system for containers should have universal acceptance."
Asked to comment on the threat from Taliban, Mehta said, "I think that the type of low end threats such as light intensity operations, light intensity maritime operations and similar things will keep going on in future. We have to be certainly more concerned with these kinds of threats."
On whether the Navy supported the Sethusamudram project, he said "It is a national project. There is no question of not supporting it. I don't deal with it directly but there is no question of saying that it is not a good project because it has certain relevance of passing smaller traffic that goes from one coast to other and you will have different implications on the development of ports there."
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Gaurding our nearly 8000kms coastline is impossible or unaffordable.. Instead we should form a very clear response such an event. Theremaybe a dirty bomb or a nuclear bomb detonated by the terrorists from Pakistan Hence we shopuld formulate a more than adequate response instead of trying to prove who is behind these incidents. Simply put, if one dirty bomb is detonated anywhere in India, we should detonate 10 dirty bombs in Pakistan and the same goes for a nuclear bomb as well AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE SHOULD STOP PROVIDING PROOF TO THE PAKI TRECHEROUS HEATHEN ABOUTITS COMPLICITY
I dont think we are looking for Future telling by the Army Chief.
The only thing this navy chief does is create panic among indians, by making these statements. during the 26/11 these guys were sleeping instead of keeping watch on the coastal areas. These people are just demanding money from the government for their survival and doing nothing instead.
10 terrorist can come from by boat, and Pak calims they have nothing to do with it. Why canat a terrorist from Pak come with a Nuke - explode it in BARC and calim that it was an accident by the Indians and publically mock India on its nuclear saftey. THIS IS SERIOUS
Why bother bringing the W.M.D through the sea when they are available at BARC in Trombay.All the terroists have to do is highjack a commercial plane and use it as 9/11 style.They can approach Trombay by mini-submarines.Their best bet would be to use the help of B-company and steal the nuclear head or enough plutonium.Remember the black doimond racket?They were able to pull it for 20 years till the matter was brought to the attention of the PM and the president.
The chances of smuggling of nuke materials in containers is a reality since all the ports in India does not have a 100% foolproof security systems. You can fimd all types of people hanging around the ports as brokers
This is not a loose talk. Any plan by Terrorists will now be shelved. The intention of the Navy Chief is not to allow it to sail rather capturing it once it is docked; as what will happen when it is docked in a Port !! He has made this statement at a perfect time. On the contrary, any movement of personnel or arms otherwise, should have gone under "grade" information, which not only the navy chief; but the Minister is not supposed to disclose. Greetings to RAW.
Thanks a lot for openly disclosing. So that now we in Pakistan can prepare and plan well. Tell us more details - time/date/route.
The Navy Chief's irresponsible statements encourage the Terrorists to bring in arms and amunitions, including nucler weapons, through Sea Ports considering the non-existance of effective security systems. Take whatever actions deem necessary to safeguard our country without publicizing.
I fail to undestand why our armed forces chiefs talk loosely like this. This is unnecessary rumour mongering
This is an important observation, which, not only India; but many countries should take note of. Loading of a container could be done until it is objected and inspection could be evaded at a bribe of few lakhs, which the shippers are able to do, given the importance of their target. Introduce a mechanism, with which each container is subjected to security check by central agencies, not for a while; but for future hereafter.
We know that as you are just useles people who can't able to detect small numbers of people in mumbai attack time with the state of art technologes.We don't need that security where our people were busy in catching pirates in other country while letting our seas unguarded