News Tanks
New Delhi.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways organized an Ambassadors’ Roundtable meeting in the national capital, Delhi. The special meeting witnessed participation from ambassadors of 28 countries, industry leaders, and representatives of multilateral organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen global cooperation and partnerships ahead of the upcoming India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, to be held in Mumbai this October.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. He said that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s maritime journey is entering a new chapter. He urged global partners to view India as a hub of investment and innovation, adding that the government’s USD 1 trillion maritime investment roadmap has opened vast opportunities for foreign companies. Sonowal further highlighted that initiatives like Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 are preparing India’s ports and logistics ecosystem for the future.
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur also addressed the gathering. He emphasized port modernization, expansion of inland waterways, and green shipping. Thakur said, “Ports are not only gateways of prosperity but also gateways to India’s future.” He added that AI-driven logistics and digital port operations are making Indian ports more competitive at the global level.
During the meeting, Joint Secretary R. Lakshmanan presented mega projects such as Vadhavan Port, Galathea Bay Transshipment Port, and Tuna Tekra Terminal. He also detailed investment opportunities in green hydrogen hubs, LNG bunkering, shipbuilding, ship recycling, and maritime industrial parks.
Deliberations focused on India’s Blue Economy and future prospects. Key areas included strengthening shipbuilding capacity, promoting port-led development, accelerating the shift towards green and digital shipping, and underlining the pivotal role of IFSC-GIFT City in maritime financing.
Ambassadors present at the meeting welcomed the five new maritime laws recently introduced by the Government of India. These include the Bill of Lading Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Merchant Shipping Act, Coastal Shipping Act, and Indian Ports Act. The new framework replaces colonial-era laws, aligning India with global best practices.
In his concluding remarks, Sonowal said that India Maritime Week 2025 will serve as a platform “where ideas will transform into projects and commitments into partnerships.” The outcomes of this roundtable will be integrated into IMW 2025, ensuring that the event not only addresses global stakeholder priorities but also marks a major step in establishing India as a new global hub for maritime investment.
