Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, joined by Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, Bhupendra Patel, Pramod Sawant, and Mohan Charan Majhi, as well as Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and other dignitaries.

In his address, Shah described this as “India’s Maritime Moment”, saying that Mumbai’s Gateway of India is transforming into the Gateway of the World. He emphasised that over the past decade, structural reforms in the maritime economy have established India as a strong and influential player on the global maritime map.

India’s vast maritime strength

Highlighting India’s strategic location and long coastline, Shah noted that 13 coastal states and Union Territories contribute around 60 per cent to the national GDP. The country’s Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.37 million sq km attracts international investors, while nearly 800 million people live in these maritime regions. He also pointed out that the 38 nations of the Indian Ocean Region account for 12 per cent of global exports, underscoring India’s growing role in regional trade and connectivity.

He stated that India’s 5,000-year-old maritime legacy continues under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with the nation poised to write a new chapter in global maritime history. Representatives from over 100 countries are attending the summit, reflecting India’s central position in fostering global maritime cooperation and regional stability.

Strengthening India’s maritime future

Amit Shah said India Maritime Week has become the Indo-Pacific region’s leading maritime dialogue platform. The 2025 edition hosts 350 speakers from more than 100 countries, 500 companies, and over 100,000 delegates, creating investment opportunities worth Rs 10 trillion (USD 120 billion).

He added that Prime Minister Modi’s maritime vision rests on three pillars — security, stability, and self-reliance — guided by initiatives such as Sagarmala, Blue Economy, and Green Maritime Vision under Maritime India Vision 2030. The target is to position India among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations.

To support this, new mega and deep-draft ports are being developed, aiming for a port handling capacity of 10,000 million metric tonnes per year with full digitisation of operations. India is also involved in key connectivity projects such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, the Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the North–South Transport Corridor.

Key projects and policy reforms

Shah revealed that under the Sagarmala project, 839 projects worth USD 70 billion have been identified for completion by March 2025, with 272 projects worth USD 17 billion already finished. The USD 5 billion Great Nicobar Project is underway, and USD 200 million is being invested in building India’s largest dock at Cochin Shipyard. A Maritime Heritage Complex is also being developed in Gujarat.

He added that outdated maritime laws have been modernised to align with international standards. The Indian Ports Bill (2025) replaced a 117-year-old law, while the Major Port Authorities Act (2021) enhanced port autonomy and modern governance. Additionally, 106 new waterways have been declared under the National Waterways Act (2016).

Focus on sustainability and innovation

The Home Minister emphasised India’s commitment to a Green Maritime Future, balancing economic growth with environmental protection. He said coastal shipping has grown by 118 per cent and cargo handling by 150 per cent over the past decade, supported by faster turnaround times and modern port infrastructure.

Shah concluded by affirming that India’s vision of transforming “Sagar” into “Mahasagar” under PM Modi’s leadership will drive the country towards becoming a global maritime leader by 2047.