Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, maritime security and collaboration is central to India's strategic thinking and policy. In his keynote address at the inaugural session of second Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting of experts for maritime security in New Delhi yesterday, he said, maritime safety and security scenario is confronted with threats like maritime terrorism, smuggling, transnational crimes, drug-trafficking, and illegal immigration. He said these threats and challenges impinge on the national interests of the IORA littorals and demand collective action. <br/> <br/>Mr Jaishankar said India has undertaken wide range of HADR operations in Indian Ocean building on its 2004 tsunami relief experience. From bringing drinking water to the Maldives in the wake of a major water crisis, to providing relief supplies by air to Fiji and Sri Lanka, he said India has been the first to respond in times of distress in its immediate as well as extended neighbourhood. <br/><br/>He said, maritime trade has become increasingly important for interconnected economies and India itself conducts nearly 40 percent of its trade with littoral nations along the Indian Ocean Rim. <br/><br/>He said India supports freedom of navigation and over-flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, particularly UN Convention on Law of Seas that serves as a constitution for the oceans. The Foreign Secretary also said India also encourages resolution of territorial and maritime disputes through peaceful means.