PM Modi Emphasizes Strengthening India’s Maritime Sector on National Maritime Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of National Maritime Day, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s maritime sector and ports, which are pivotal in driving the nation’s progress and prosperity.
In his address, PM Modi reflected on India’s rich maritime history and the critical role this sector has played in nation-building. He acknowledged that India had once been a recognized sea power, but noted that the maritime sector had been overlooked in the post-independence period.
However, in the past decade, New India has achieved remarkable milestones in the maritime domain. The Prime Minister highlighted that the government has been proactively working to strengthen India’s maritime ecosystem, with key developments that include the doubling of cargo handling capacity at major ports over the last 10 years. Furthermore, thousands of kilometers of new roads have been constructed to improve connectivity to ports, ensuring smoother and more efficient trade routes.
The Prime Minister shared that the government’s guiding principle of “ports for prosperity and ports for progress” has brought transformative changes in the maritime sector. The mantra has now evolved to “ports for productivity,” which focuses on developing robust maritime infrastructure to further boost productivity and global competitiveness.
PM Modi also emphasized the government’s focus on the development of coastal shipping. This focus was underscored by the passage of the ‘Coastal Shipping Bill’ in the Lok Sabha earlier this week. The Bill aims to regulate vessels operating within Indian coastal waters, promote coastal trade, and encourage domestic participation. It will help ensure that India has a coastal fleet owned and operated by its citizens, catering to both national security and commercial needs.
The Prime Minister also discussed ongoing efforts to develop inland waterways, which are part of India’s broader strategy to fortify the maritime sector.
PM Modi concluded his address by stressing that a strong maritime sector has historically been beneficial to both India and the global economy. With this in mind, the government is committed to continuing its planned and strategic approach to strengthen the country’s maritime infrastructure and enhance its role as a key player in global trade.
