New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that security of sea routes in the Asia-Pacific region is essential for India’s economy.
Addressing the Ministerial Session of Delhi Dialogue here, she said that this is essential as a majority of country’s global trade flows across the straits of Malacca and beyond.
Swaraj said that maritime security has emerged as an important area of concern in recent times.
She said that India supports the evolution of an inclusive, balanced, transparent and open regional architecture for security and cooperation in the region.
The External Affairs Minister said that New Delhi has stepped up consultations with ASEAN mechanisms dealing with countering terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Swaraj also said that enhancing connectivity is a strategic priority for both India and ASEAN, which will promote economic growth and people-to-people exchanges in the region.
She also mentioned the progress work on Kaladan Multi Modal Transport project, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Rih Tedim Project in Myanmar.
Swaraj said lot has changed in the global environment in the last one year and the most significant is the escalation of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. (ANI)