Panaji, May 22 (IANS): Only combined and cohesive anti-piracy action led by the United Nations (UN) can rid the world of the scourge of piracy, Defence Minister A.K. Anthony said here Saturday.

"Unless there is combined effort under the United Nations (UN), the effectiveness of fighting piracy won't be achieved. For that the talks are already going on," said the minister, who was in Goa to inaugurate the phased modernization programme of the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a public sector enterprise that builds vessels for the defence ministry.

Speaking to reporters in the port town of Vasco, Antony also asked people not to "expect miracles", when it came to tackling the issue international piracy that is hampering global maritime trade.

"Don't expect miracles. We are continuously strengthening our navy which is working in anti-piracy operations in tandem with other nations like the US, the UK and France," Antony said, adding that the problem of sea piracy has reached the "backyard of India".

"The Indian Navy in last one year has substantially increased deployment of its forces in anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Eden along with other nations," the defence minister said.