KARACHI: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday that the Indian Ocean region was important both economically and politically.
He was speaking at a three-day International Maritime Conference which opened in Karachi where he stressed that trade could only flourish in the region if sea routes are secure.
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Aziz said that 40 percent of the world trade passes through the India Ocean, and Pakistan was the third most important country in the region. The foreign affairs advisor stressed that Pakistan needed to be aware of the changes in the Indian Ocean region.
He added that 30 countries are connected through the Indian Ocean.
President Azad Kashmir Masood Khan said that as the game in Indian ocean changes, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is even more important for Pakistan. He added that national economies depend on trade through sea routes.
Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah said for the sake of trade the world looks to maritime security for protection of sea routes.
