With a major churn in India’s maritime domain and with the country aiming to be a major maritime nation by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the priority being placed on the critical maritime sector by sending a message that hailed the inaugural maritime event—Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue –saying it would further strengthen the rules-based world order.
The PM's comments came while he was on an official visit to Nigeria. Later, Modi flew to Brazil’s Rio De Janeiro for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Shifted out from Mumbai due to the assembly elections scheduled for Wednesday, ‘Sagarmanthan’ took off to a resounding start on Tuesday in the national capital.
‘Sagarmanthan’ follows THE WEEK Maritime Conclave held in Chennai on November 5.
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In his message, Modi said, “This dialogue on oceans further strengthens the rules-based world order and enhances peace, trust and friendship between nations.”
“Over the last decade, guided by the vision of ‘Ports of Prosperity,’ ‘Ports for Progress’ and ‘Ports for Productivity,’ we have doubled the capacity of our ports. By enhancing port efficiency, reducing turnaround time and strengthening last-mile connectivity through expressways, railways and riverine networks, we have transformed India’s shoreline.”
India has a long coastline of 7,516 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 2.4 million sqkm. The Indian Ocean region is a major economic highway accounting for about half of the world’s maritime oil trade and 75 per cent of world trade.
Boasting a strong history and tradition from ancient times, the potential of India’s maritime sector lay mostly unrealized in modern times. It is only in the last decade or so that this sector has picked up steam.
“India’s maritime tradition goes back several millennia and is among the richest in the world. The thriving port cities of Lothal and Dholavira, the fleets of the Chola dynasty, the exploits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are great inspirations.”
“Oceans are a shared heritage for nations and societies, as well as the lifeline for international trade. Today, the security and prosperity of nations is intimately connected to oceans,” the PM said.
On PM Modi’s message, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Wtareways, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has been witnessing a transformational experience in the maritime sector. The message by the Prime Minister Modi ji encapsulates the very essence that this maiden maritime thought leadership forum - Sagarmanthan - aims to achieve.”