On October 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a strategic vision for India’s maritime future at the Maritime Leaders Conclave in Mumbai. Addressing over 85 nations, he announced significant investments and legislative reforms, including a Rs 70,000 crore initiative for shipbuilding, emphasizing India’s growing global maritime confidence and infrastructure advancements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the rapid evolution of India’s maritime sector during the Maritime Leaders Conclave at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. He praised the efficiency of Indian ports, highlighted the modernization of shipping laws, and noted significant advancements in capacity, turnaround times, and cruise tourism, driving economic growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on October 29, 2025, to address the Maritime Leaders Conclave as part of India Maritime Week. Scheduled for 4:00 PM at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, the Global Maritime CEO Forum will focus on sustainable growth, resilient supply chains, and strategies for a green economy.
During the ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the deepening ties between India and ASEAN, particularly in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. He declared 2026 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” emphasizing collaboration in education, health, and culture, while affirming the importance of shared values and historical connections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), enhancing India’s maritime and tourism landscape. Built at ₹556 crore, MICT is India’s largest cruise terminal, accommodating five ships and one million passengers annually. With modern design and cultural displays, it aims to position India as a global cruise hub.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “historic reform” by designating large ships as infrastructure, aiming to boost financing and competitiveness for Indian shipping. He introduced initiatives worth ₹70,000 crore to modernize shipyards and improve standards, emphasizing self-reliance with the mantra “Chips or ships, made in India.”
On September 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gujarat to review the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, with a budget of ₹4,500 crore. The complex aims to preserve India’s maritime traditions while boosting tourism and education. Modi also launched projects worth ₹34,200 crore, enhancing regional infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on September 20 to assess the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal. He will review completed works and discuss ongoing projects, highlighting the site’s historical significance as a major trading center of the Indus Valley Civilization and its potential to boost local economy and tourism.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will keynote the Global Maritime CEO Forum during India Maritime Week in Mumbai from October 27-31, 2025. The event aims to showcase India’s maritime strengths, attracting over 100,000 participants globally and reinforcing India’s leadership in the transforming maritime sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam port, a ₹8,900 crore project, emphasizing its role in enhancing India’s maritime security. He highlighted the port as a catalyst for regional development, boosting trade and economic growth, while creating employment opportunities and improving logistics efficiency for larger cargo ships in global trade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the significance of India’s maritime sector and ports in driving the country’s progress and prosperity. Despite neglect in the past, significant milestones have been achieved in the last decade. The government is committed to further strengthening the maritime ecosystem through initiatives like doubling cargo handling capacity, promoting coastal shipping, and developing inland waterways.
In a recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra, India and Thailand solidified their bilateral relationship through strategic partnerships. Agreements were signed to enhance cooperation in digital technologies, maritime heritage, small industries, and aligning policies. The focus on crucial sectors like defense and security highlights the commitment to mutual growth and friendship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Tuticorin International Container Terminal in Tamil Nadu as a beacon of India’s marine infrastructure, boosting capacity at V.O. Chidambaranar Port. With state-of-the-art amenities and a focus on gender diversity, the terminal is set to reduce logistics costs and contribute to India’s maritime development goals.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo, funded by a USD 6 million grant from India. The MRCC aims to enhance maritime safety in the region, showcasing the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. This event signifies a commitment to promoting security and stability in the maritime domain.
Sarbananda Sonowal, a prominent BJP leader, has been appointed as the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in the NDA government. Sonowal, representing the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, is committed to advancing India’s maritime sector. His appointment signifies a strategic focus on enhancing the country’s presence in the global maritime industry and achieving maritime goals.
