Emphasising the economic importance of the Indian Ocean, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that nurturing a climate of peace and stability in this region is an important priority for India’s foreign policy.

Addressing the Third Indian Ocean Conference in Hanoi, Mrs Swaraj said that Indian ocean region is host to the world’s busiest waterways. She said that the bounty of the Indian Ocean cannot be tapped without ensuring maritime peace and stability.

External Affairs Minister said economic prosperity and maritime security go hand-in-hand. Mrs Swaraj’s comments assume significance in the wake of China increasing its footprints in the Indian Ocean.

Mrs Swaraj is in Vietnam on the first leg of her four-day two-nation tour which aims at deepening India’s strategic cooperation with Vietnam and Cambodia — the key countries in the ASEAN region.