Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 27 (ANI): Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the “India Maritime Week – 2025” in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Monday.
On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, along with other dignitaries, were present.
In his address, Shah stated that Mumbai is home to the world-famous Gateway of India and described this as India’s “Maritime Moment,” transforming the Gateway of India into the “Gateway of the World.”
He noted that over the past decade, maritime summits have demonstrated India’s emergence as a strong global maritime power, driven by deep structural reforms in the maritime economy.
Shah highlighted India’s strategic maritime strength, pointing out that its coastline stretches over 11,000 kilometers and that the 13 coastal states and Union Territories contribute approximately 60 percent to the GDP.
He added that India’s 23.7 lakh square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) attracts investors and manufacturers worldwide, with around 800 million people residing in maritime states. The 38 countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), he said, contribute roughly 12 percent to global exports, and through this summit, India is showcasing this immense potential to global investors and maritime industry leaders.
Shah emphasized that India, leveraging its maritime position, democratic stability, and naval capabilities, is acting as a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Global South, promoting development, security, and environmental progress.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is prepared to create a new maritime history. The presence of representatives from over 100 countries at this conference reflects that India’s maritime tradition remains a focal point for global partnership and regional stability.
The Home Minister stated that India Maritime Week has become the most prestigious maritime dialogue platform in the Indo-Pacific region. The 2025 summit, he added, will significantly contribute to securing India’s prominent position in the maritime industry by 2047.
This year’s edition will feature more than 350 speakers from over 100 countries, 500 companies, and 100,000 delegates, generating investment opportunities worth Rs 10 lakh crore.
Shah said India believes not in competition but in mutual cooperation and has developed a comprehensive roadmap to connect the nation’s maritime industry with the global maritime ecosystem.
He outlined Prime Minister Modi’s maritime vision based on three pillars: security, stability, and self-reliance. Through initiatives such as Sagarmala, Blue Economy, and Green Maritime Vision under the Maritime India Vision 2030, India aims to become one of the top five countries in the global shipbuilding industry.
He noted that new mega and deep-draft ports are being developed, with a target of 10,000 million metric tons per year for port handling. Port operations have been fully digitized, and India is enhancing connectivity through projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the North-South Transport Corridor.
Shah said that over the past 11 years, Prime Minister Modi has positioned India’s maritime sector as a source of national strength, regional stability, and global prosperity. Today, two-thirds of global trade passes through the Indo-Pacific maritime route, and 90 percent of India’s trade moves via sea routes.
He added that Prime Minister Modi’s maritime policy, now known as MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), symbolizes India’s growing global footprint.
Shah emphasized that Modi’s vision of transforming “Sagar” into “Mahasagar” will propel India toward becoming a global maritime leader by 2047. To achieve this, the government has increased the budget sixfold—from $40 million to $230 million.
Under the Sagarmala project, he said, 839 projects worth $70 billion have been identified for completion by March 2025, of which 272 projects worth $17 billion have already been completed. The $5 billion Great Nicobar Project is underway and will significantly enhance India’s maritime trade.
Additionally, with an investment of $200 million, construction of India’s largest dock at Cochin Shipyard is progressing, and a Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed in Gujarat.
Shah said that to align with international standards, outdated Indian maritime laws have been reformed. In 2025, Parliament updated the 117-year-old Indian Ports Bill to reflect global and contemporary needs. The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, has granted greater autonomy to ports and modernized their governance structure. He also noted that 106 new waterways have been declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
The Home Minister said that the Modi government has strengthened the Blue Economy, enhanced coastal security, and improved fishermen’s welfare. Over the past decade, coastal shipping has increased by 118 percent, and cargo handling by 150 percent. Turn-Around-Time (TAT) has also been reduced, bringing it closer to global standards.
He emphasized India’s commitment to building a Green Maritime Future that fosters development in harmony with nature. India also recognizes that Small Island States and Global South nations depend heavily on the sea for livelihood, and climate change poses an existential threat to them.
Shah said India is advancing with a vision to create a green, prosperous, and shared ocean.
India Maritime Week is the Ministry’s biennial flagship event, bringing together policymakers, investors, and thought leaders from around the world to shape the future of Indian ports and logistics. The 2025 edition highlights India’s journey toward maritime excellence through its people, infrastructure, and forward-looking vision. (ANI)
About The Author
