Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a written message to the third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, calling for a "free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order" that brings peace and prosperity to all nations. The conference is organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi.
PM Modi emphasized that India's maritime vision extends across regions and oceans and is built on cooperation, trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit. He stated that oceans hold "immense promise" for the world's economies, people and planet, and what happens in one part of the world can affect places far beyond its shores, making global dialogue and cooperation more important than ever.
The Prime Minister highlighted significant infrastructure achievements, noting that India's major ports have nearly doubled their capacity while turnaround times have dropped significantly. He revealed that Indian seafarers now form the second-largest maritime workforce in the world, with young Indians earning respect across the world's oceans. India has implemented new-generation maritime laws to create a modern framework for the sector and is investing in ocean science and exploration to better understand and responsibly use marine resources.
Modi linked India's maritime ambitions to the Viksit Bharat vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, describing it as a journey towards a stronger and more capable maritime India. The government is preparing for a new era of shipbuilding and green shipping while protecting the health of oceans and coastal ecosystems as it builds a stronger maritime economy. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Sagarmanthan dialogue would strengthen the vision of oceans becoming a source of shared prosperity where every country has a voice and opportunity to grow.