Mumbai, October 27, 2025

The Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah inaugurated the India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre here today, marking the beginning of the world’s largest maritime gathering.

Held under the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision,” the five-day event brings together over 100,000 participants from 85 countries, including 500 exhibitors, 350 speakers, and 12 concurrent conferences and exhibitions. IMW 2025 showcases India’s maritime resurgence and its vision of transforming the nation into a global maritime leader by 2047.

In his inaugural address, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the maritime sector represents India’s strength, stability, and sustainability. “This is India’s maritime moment — one that is transforming the Gateway of India into the Gateway of the World,” he declared. “Due to the deep structural reforms initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India today stands as an emerging force on the global maritime map.”

The Home Minister noted that India’s strategic location and extensive coastline provide it with unparalleled maritime advantages. “Our 11,000 kilometres long coastline, 13 coastal states, and 23.7 lakh square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone make India a natural maritime power. Around 60 percent of our GDP is contributed by coastal states, and nearly 800 million people depend on the sea for their livelihood,” Shah said.

Highlighting India’s growing leadership in the Indo-Pacific, the Home Minister said, “Leveraging its maritime position, democratic stability, and naval capability, India is acting as a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Global South, fostering development, security, and environmental progress.”

Shah emphasised that the government’s maritime policy, rooted in Prime Minister Modi’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), aims to strengthen India’s role as a global maritime hub. “India’s maritime strength lies not in competition but in cooperation,” he said. “Our goal is to build a green maritime future that accelerates growth while maintaining harmony with nature.”

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described IMW 2025 as “a turning point in India’s maritime journey.” He said the summit underscores the government’s determination to position India among the world’s top maritime powers through policy reform, digital transformation, and record investment.

“India currently handles about 10 percent of seaborne trade, and our goal is to triple it by 2047,” Sonowal said. “This will be supported by a fourfold increase in port capacity and the development of deep-draft mega ports.”

Sarbananda Sonowal noted that India’s port capacity has nearly doubled to 2,700 MTPA, cargo handled has risen to 1,640 MMT, and inland waterways cargo has grown from 6.9 MMT to over 145 MMT in the last decade. The number of Indian seafarers has surged by 200 percent, reaching 3.2 lakh.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji, India is not just keeping pace — India is setting benchmarks,” Sonowal said. “India Maritime Week 2025 is a global vote of confidence. With 85 countries represented and ₹10 lakh crore in investment commitments, the world is recognising India as the next big force in maritime leadership,” Sonowal added.

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur emphasised India’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and human resource development. “India is building a smart, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime ecosystem that empowers industry, protects the environment, and connects Bharat to the world,” he said.

The inaugural day witnessed ministerial plenaries, bilateral meetings, and state-led sessions focused on innovation, sustainability, and investment. Three bilateral sessions were held with Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia, exploring collaboration in shipbuilding, green ports, and maritime logistics.

At the Plenary Session of India Maritime Week 2025 featured a distinguished lineup of global maritime leaders, including H.E. Anthony Smith Jr. (Antigua and Barbuda), H.E. Magdalene Dagoseh (Liberia), H.E. Dr. Arvin Boolell (Mauritius), H.E. Robert Tieman (Netherlands), H.E. Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Norway), H.E. Anura Karunathilaka (Sri Lanka), H.E. Aung Kyaw Tun (Myanmar), H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih (Saudi Arabia), and Mr. Lee Hyun (South Korea). The leaders emphasised global cooperation, sustainable innovation, and shared responsibility in advancing a resilient and inclusive blue economy.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Maritime Economy & Connectivity (CMEC) hosted the Amrit Kaal Sessions on ship registration and financing, drawing participation from global financiers, shipowners, and policymakers.

Several maritime-rich states — including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands — showcased port-led industrial projects, blue economy initiatives, and maritime cluster development plans aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

A special feature of the day was “Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue” at the Jio World Convention Centre, a thought-leadership platform bringing together diplomats, strategists, and maritime experts to discuss connectivity, sustainability, and ocean governance.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by the the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel; the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, and the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Saran Majhi. The Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with global delegates, thought leaders, industry captains as well as senior officials and maritime students.

India Maritime Week 2025 will continue through Oct. 31, featuring over 100 thematic sessions, CEO roundtables, and ministerial dialogues. The event reaffirms India’s civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family, as it connects global partners through shared maritime aspirations.

 

PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Pujari-Swami/ Edgar Coelho/ Priti Malandkar

 

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