KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the 3rd East Asia Summit on Maritime Security and Cooperation at Mayfair Lagoon here on Friday.
Apart from India, 53 delegates from 17 countries – Australia, Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, USA and Vietnam are participating in the two-day conference.
The delegates will discuss cooperation in areas of maritime security, ways to strengthen regional peace, use of ocean resources and prosperity among the member countries.
Addressing on the occasion, Pradhan said, “Countries must adhere to freedom of navigation, over-flight & other related internationally-lawful use of the sea. Collective effort is required to deal with maritime terrorism & crimes including trafficking of drugs & humans, smuggling of arms & WMDs, IUU fishing & cyber threats.”
“Odisha has to become the maritime gateway to the region by virtue of many important ports and waterways in the state,” he added while referring to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of SUGAR which is Security And Growth for All in the Region.
According to sources, the delegates will be a taken on a heritage tour to Dhauli and Konark on June 9 for an exposure of the heritage and cultural sites of the state.
Attending the 3rd EAS Conference on Maritime Security and Cooperation https://t.co/G7XCXThLsE
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 8, 2018
Ms Kalinga