India is prepared to contribute to the international efforts in tracing the Malaysian aircraft that went missing five days back.
India could provide satellite imagery and radar readings besides ships and maritime reconnaissance aircraft to hunt for the plane following a request by Malaysia on Tuesday, said official sources.
However, they discounted the possibility of the plane having gone down unnoticed in the vicinity of India’s maritime domain near the Malacca Straits as it is one of the world’s busiest shipping passages. Malaysia made the request after the search for the aircraft was expanded to the Andaman Sea.
On Sunday, India offered any kind of help to Malaysia to trace the aircraft. “I have sent my condolences and our Ambassadors are in touch. We are ready to give any help, if required, or share information if we get any,” External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on Sunday.
“We are appointing designated people to deal with the issue and also take forward the process of sharing information in this regard,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
Already, 10 countries have provided their planes and ships to look for the missing plane in South China Sea.