Indonesia says no to Indian patrol in Straits- Sovereignty Issues

Reported here

‘‘We wish to make clear that the Strait of Malacca is not an international strait. It's only for international navigation and the responsibility of its safety lies with the three states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. While we realise that user countries have understandable interest in ensuring security, whatever efforts are being made will need to have the consent of these three states,'' Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marty M. Natalegawa, who's also the Director General for ASEAN Cooperation, told visiting Indian journalists.

Though the Indian and Indonesian navies have been conducting coordinated patrols, it started in September 2004 in the Six Degree Channel, west of the Strait of Malacca between the Nicobar Islands and Indonesia's Aceh province, Jakarta points to sovereignty sensitivity when it comes to the Strait of Malacca.

They did just increase their own patrols...