As cash-rich China pushes 'Belt and Road Initiative', Sushma Swaraj highlights India's 'Sagarmala' project
PTI | Updated: Aug 28, 2018, 06:39 PM ISTIndia is now devoting more resources and assigning greater priority to building connectivity in its immediate neighbourhood, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said, amidst cash-rich China pushing its 'Belt and Road Initiative' in the region.Addressing the 3rd Indian Ocean Conference here in the Vietnamese capital, Swaraj said that in an inter-dependent world characterised by enhanced economic and trade linkages, the importance of sustainable use of the ocean resources cannot be overstated.She said India considers the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as an important instrument for achieving peace and security in the region.Elaborating India's approach, she said it focuses on developing hinterland linkages and regional connectivity."Under our Government's 'Sagarmala' project, initiatives we have taken include building new ports and modernising old ones, developing inland waterways and hinterland developme…