Delhi hosts South Asia’s largest maritime thought leadership summit

New Delhi on Monday hosted the inaugural edition of South Asia’s largest maritime thought leadership summit, which brought together delegates from over 60 countries to discuss the future of maritime trade and sustainable ocean practices.
The two-day event, The Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, is organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a Delhi-based global think tank.
In his message to the event, highlighting that “Collaborations and discussions drive inclusive and innovative maritime growth,” Prime Minister Narenda Modi hoped that the “Dialogue on the oceans strengthens the rules-based world order, fostering peace, trust, and friendship among nations”.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, stressed India’s Maritime Vision 2047, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming the maritime sector through sustainability, connectivity, and technology. He emphasised the government’s initiatives under the cental movement, such as Sagarmala and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, to establish India as a global maritime trade leader and achieve a developed nation status by 2047.
“Our vision aims to revolutionise India’s maritime sector with an investment of Rs 80 lakh crores to enhance port capacity, shipping, ship building inland waterways. Key projects include the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, new mega ports at Vadhavan in Maharashtra, and Galathea Bay in Nicobar,” the minister said.
According to him, By 2047, India targets a port handling capacity of 10,000 million metric tons per annum, leveraging strategic trade routes through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transport Corridor.

Christos Stylianides, the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, who addressed the event, emphasised the importance of establishing a stable regulatory framework and a global level playing field for the maritime industry.
“It is now time to set the foundations for forward-looking and realistic policies which will the current maritime challenges into opportunities. International transport systems, with shipping at its core as an integral part, should serve the three pillars of sustainability: the environmental, the social and the economic one,” Stylianides said, adding that Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue’ is a great example in this direction.

The two-day forum’s agenda focused on maritime connectivity, sustainable development, technological innovation, and global maritime governance. The Ministry also highlighted India’s progress in port digitisation, renewable energy integration, and decarbonised shipping, aligned with its vision of becoming a global maritime hub. The Dialogue hosted over 1,700 participants from 60 countries, including ministers, former heads of state and experts.