new delhi, Oct 29
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country is a symbol of strategic autonomy, peace and inclusive growth amid global tension, trade disruptions and the shifting supply chains.
Speaking at the India Maritime Week 2025 here, he noted, “When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse,” adding that India can fulfil such a responsibility with great strength.
He said the country’s maritime and trade initiatives are part of this bigger vision, and one of its examples is the India-Middle East- Europe economic corridor.
He said this shall redefine the trade route, and will promote clean energy and smart logistics.
PM said that the massive investments in the shipping sector reflect the world’s strong confidence in India’s maritime capabilities, stating that 2025 has been a landmark in nation’s maritime growth story, starting from the operationalisation of Vizhinjam Port to record cargo handling and India’s first Green Hydrogen facility at Kandla.
According to the PM, India’s major ports created a new record by handling the highest-ever cargo so far, and in a first, one of the ports initiated a high scale indigenous green hydrogen facility at Kandla.
He mentioned that Indian ports are counted among the most efficient in the developing world, and in many aspects, they are performing even better than those in the developed world.
He said that the country’s ports are driving progress, powered by historic Foreign Direct Investment in the port infrastructure.
Throwing more light on the reforms in the sector, PM Modi said that over a century-old colonial shipping laws have been replaced with modern, futuristic laws suited for the 21st century.
Modi said that the country’s focus is also on inclusive maritime development, and this is only possible when the small Island developing states and the least developed countries are empowered through technology, training and infrastructure.
“This is the right time to work and expand in India’s shipping sector,” he emphasized.
Addressing all the participants including those representing different nations, PM said that all will have to come together and face issues like climate change, supply chain disruptions, economic uncertainty and maritime security.
He asked everyone to come together and give momentum to peace, progress and prosperity in a bid to develop a sustainable future.
Mentioning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Modi said that he not only laid the foundation of maritime security, but also had established India’s dominance when it comes to the trade routes in Arabian Sea.
He said that the country’s maritime sector is moving forward with a great pace and energy and the current year has been very important for the sector here.
He also mentioned that the country on the global stage wants to provide strength to the supply chain resilience, and is working on developing world class mega ports, while work is underway to increase the capacity of the major ports by four times.
The PM also said that the maritime sector is driving the country’s growth, and during the last decade, it has transformed significantly, boosting trade and port infrastructure.
He also mentioned that the country is accelerating efforts to reach new heights in shipbuilding, and now the large ships have been granted the status of infrastructure assets.
