External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said that security of sea routes in the Asia-Pacific region is essential for India's economy. She said, this is essential as a majority of country's global trade flows across the straits of Malacca and beyond. <br/><br/>Addressing the Ministerial Session of Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, Mrs Swaraj said maritime security has emerged as an important area of concern in recent times. <br/><br/>She said, development of a Blue Economy and optimum utilization of marine resources can only take place within the ambit of internationally recognized rules and norms.<br/><br/>She said, New Delhi supports the evolution of an inclusive, balanced, transparent and open regional architecture for security and cooperation in the region. The External Affairs Minister said, India has stepped up consultations with ASEAN mechanisms dealing with countering terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.<br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj also said, 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. <br/><br/>Mrs 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. <br/><br/>She said, the rise of ISIS in particular and the displacement of millions of people from their homes, has caused enormous tensions and threatens the social fabric of many countries. The theme of the this edition of Delhi Dialogue is ASEAN-India Relation: A New Paradigm.