<span style="color: #222222;">Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale today said, regional connectivity in South Asia is very relevant to wider Indo-Pacific and world at large. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing the South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference in New Delhi, the Foreign Secretary said, India believes in free and open Indo Pacific region. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said connectivity can be meaningful only when everyone has equal access under international law to the use of the global commons. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Gokhale said this would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international laws. He added that government's efforts are focused on connecting North East India to the dynamic economies of South East Asia, and the aim is to leapfrog in terms of connectivity and access.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Jester said while connectivity can bring great benefits, it also carries significant risks. He cited illicit trade, political interference, unsustainable debt arrangements, vulnerability to cyber attacks and environmental pollution and disease as some of the risks.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said India and Japan have agreed to cooperate on a specific project contributing to better connectivity in the region. He added that India will construct roads in Bangladesh while Japan will provide bridges to better connect them.</span><br />''