The Great Oceans Dialogue, a key moment event organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Wrapped up successfully in the national capital. As South Asia's largest maritime thought leadership forum, the event showcased India’s growing maritime influence and drew participation from over 1,700 delegates representing 61 countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a special message highlighting the importance of such enterprises in strengthening global maritime partnerships. Addressing the gathering virtually from Nigeria, PM Modi stated, “Our vision for a free, open, and secure maritime network—be it in the Indian Ocean or the Indo-Pacific region—is resonating across the world. Dialogues like Sagarmanthan are invaluable in building consensus, fostering partnerships, and charting a prosperous future for humanity.”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set the tone on the second day, drafting India's ambitions to become a leading maritime nation by 2030 and among the top five shipbuilding countries by 2047. Highlighting India’s recent achievements, Sonowal remarked, “With modernization, digitization, and mechanization, India is overcoming inefficiencies and positioning itself as a global maritime leader. By 2047, we aim to handle 10,000 million tonnes of cargo annually at our ports.”
Sonowal also chaired sessions on the development of a circular blue economy, focusing on sustainability and innovative solutions. Prominent international experts, including Nadeem Nazurally (University of Mauritius) and Nancy Karigithu (Kenya), contributed to discussions on sustainable maritime practices and partnerships.
The dialogue was structured around four core themes: New Frontiers, Blue Growth Partnerships, Green and Blue, and Coasts & Communities. These themes studied topics such as connectivity, infrastructure, sustainable innovation, and maritime management.
- Green Maritime Initiatives: Jonathan Christensen (Global Maritime Forum, Denmark) underlined adopting green fuels like ammonia, while Ruben Eiras (Forum Oceano, Portugal) highlighted the role of AI and digitization in optimizing maritime processes.
- Labour Equity at Sea: Sessions addressed enduring imbalances among seafarers, with Helene Tofte (Norwegian Shipowners’ Association) supporting global regulations to ensure just and humane treatment.
- Shipbuilding Goals: Indian and global experts discussed strategies to enhance shipbuilding capabilities, with Harrie de Leijer (Netherlands) suggesting innovations to reduce operational costs.
International policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, including Carl Bildt (former Swedish PM) and Mehdi Jomaa (former Tunisian PM), shared their understandings. The event also highlighted India’s inland trough developments as a model for other nations.
Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State (MoPSW), lauded the success of Sagarmanthan during the valedictory session, stating, “This platform reaffirms India’s maritime strength and its role in global trade. Under the leadership of PM Modi, we are scripting a bold, resilient, and inclusive maritime future.”
As the world’s 16th largest maritime nation, India handles 95% of its trade book through its ports. With 12 major and over 200 minor ports, the nation plays a key role in global shipping. Between 2014 and 2024, the annual cargo-handling power of major ports grew by 87%, reflecting marked progress.
Additionally, India’s burgeoning fleet and status as the third-largest ship recycler underline its dedication to sustainability. Merchandise exports surged to $451 billion in FY23, complementing the maritime sector’s growth.
Sagarmanthan’s debut showcased India’s maritime leadership and provided an actionable understanding of the sector’s sustainable growth. As Minister Sonowal concluded, “This event has given us the nectar of Sagarmanthan—knowledge to guide the sustainable evolution of the maritime sector.”
The success of this event places India as a key player in shaping the global maritime plan and promoting invention and partnership across the blue economy.(PR)