The much-anticipated maritime summit, Sagarmanthan – The Great Oceans Dialogue, officially kicked off today, marking South Asia's largest event focused on maritime thought leadership. The two-day summit, organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), brings together global policymakers, maritime experts, and industry leaders to discuss the future of the maritime sector with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and global partnerships.
The inaugural session featured key addresses from Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Greece, Christos Stylianides; Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives, Dr. Amzath Ahmed; and the National Representative for the Province of Rio Negro, Argentina, Ms. Maria Lorena Villaverde. The session also saw remarks from TK Ramachandran, Secretary of MoPSW, and Samir Saran, President of ORF, with representatives from over 60 countries and hundreds of maritime delegates in attendance.
The summit is centered around India’s ambitious Maritime Vision 2047, which aims to transform the maritime sector by enhancing sustainability, connectivity, and leveraging cutting-edge technology. Minister Sonowal underscored the government’s commitment to making India a leader in global maritime trade, outlining an investment of ₹80 lakh crores to improve port capacities, shipping, shipbuilding, and inland waterways. Key projects highlighted include the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, new mega ports in Maharashtra’s Vadhavan, and the development of Galathea Bay in Nicobar. By 2047, India aims to handle 10,000 million metric tons of cargo per year.
Sonowal emphasized the importance of strategic initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transport Corridor, which will play a pivotal role in connecting global trade routes. He also highlighted the country's commitment to decarbonizing the maritime sector through green initiatives such as the Harit Sagar Guidelines and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The Indian government is also working on the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat, and focusing on clean-fuel shipbuilding to ensure sustainability in the future.
Speaking at the event, Greece’s Maritime Affairs Minister Christos Stylianides stressed the importance of creating a stable regulatory framework for the maritime industry. He called for international cooperation to address maritime challenges, optimize efficiency, minimize pollution, and ensure resilience across the maritime sector. “Collaboration is key, and Sagarmanthan is a great example of this spirit,” he stated.
The dialogue also highlighted the socio-economic potential of coastal communities. Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for MoPSW, reiterated that India's ports and shipping corridors go beyond commerce, focusing on connectivity, collaboration, and ecological preservation. “The oceans must be a global priority for both economic development and environmental sustainability,” he said.
The discussions were further enriched by Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC), who underscored the need to strengthen India’s maritime cluster to be at the forefront of the global industry. “The seas are abundant with resources, energy, and potential. We have the technology, young workforce, and infrastructure to lead the maritime sector,” Sanyal said, setting a goal for India to build 10-12% of the world’s ships and flag 8% in the next decade.
In addition to the main sessions, Sagarmanthan also facilitated a bilateral meeting between Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Greece’s Christos Stylianides, where both ministers discussed deepening maritime cooperation between India and Greece. They agreed to expand trade from the current US$ 1.94 billion to double it by 2030, with a focus on broadening, increasing, and balancing trade partnerships. They also underscored the importance of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on maritime and shipping issues as a key mechanism for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders also explored collaboration on the ongoing development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal and discussed renewable energy, cultural exchange, and maritime infrastructure development. Both ministers agreed on the need to use strategic maritime assets for sustainable development, leveraging both nations’ rich maritime heritage.
The summit’s agenda includes sessions on maritime connectivity, sustainable development, technological innovation, and global maritime governance. India’s advancements in port digitization, renewable energy integration, and decarbonized shipping were also showcased, reflecting the nation’s vision of becoming a global maritime hub. With over 1,700 participants from 60 countries, including ministers, former heads of state, industry leaders, journalists, and scholars, Sagarmanthan promises to be a landmark event in shaping the future of global maritime trade.(PR)