Amit Shah Launches India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai

What Makes This Event So Special

More than 100,000 people from 85 countries are here, along with 500 companies showing off their stuff and 350 experts sharing ideas. There are 12 different conferences and displays running at the same time. The whole point is to show how India is stepping up in the maritime world and aiming to become a top player by 2047.

In his speech, Amit Shah talked about how the sea is key to India’s power, steadiness, and future growth. He said this is India’s big chance on the world stage, turning the famous Gateway of India into a doorway for the entire planet. Thanks to big changes pushed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is now making its mark globally in this field.

India’s Natural Edge in the Oceans

Think about it, India has a coastline that stretches 11,000 kilometres, touching 13 states, and a massive exclusive economic zone of 23.7 lakh square kilometres. That is a lot of ocean space just for us. Coastal areas bring in about 60 percent of the country’s total economic output, and close to 800 million people make their living from sea-related work.

Amit Shah pointed out that India sits right in the middle of important sea routes, has a strong democracy, and a capable navy. This puts us in a great spot to connect the Indo-Pacific region with the Global South, helping everyone grow, stay safe, and protect the environment.

Building Ties, Not Rivalries

The government’s plan for the seas comes from Prime Minister Modi’s idea called MAHASAGAR, which stands for working together across regions for security and progress. Amit Shah stressed that our strength comes from teaming up with others, not fighting for the top spot. The aim is a clean maritime path that boosts the economy without harming nature.

Sarbananda Sonowal, who handles ports, shipping, and waterways, called this event a major milestone for India. He said it shows the government’s push to make India one of the leading maritime nations through better rules, tech upgrades, and huge funding.

Numbers That Tell the Story

Right now, India deals with around 10 percent of the world’s trade that goes by sea. The target is to make that three times bigger by 2047. To do that, port capacity needs to grow four times, and we need big ports that can handle deep-water ships.

In the past ten years, port capacity has almost doubled to 2,700 million tonnes per annum. The amount of cargo moved has gone up to 1,640 million metric tonnes. Inland waterways have seen cargo jump from 6.9 million metric tonnes to more than 145 million metric tonnes. And the number of Indian sailors out there has tripled to 3.2 lakh.

Sonowal said under Modi’s guidance, India is not just catching up but leading the way. With people from 85 countries and promises of 10 lakh crore rupees in investments, the world sees India as the rising star in maritime matters.

Focus on Green and Smart Growth

Shantanu Thakur, the junior minister for the same areas, spoke about building a system that is clever, kind to the planet, and can compete worldwide. It should help businesses, save nature, and link India to every corner of the globe.

The first day had talks at the minister level, one-on-one meetings between countries, and sessions led by states. Three special talks happened with Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia, covering ship making, eco-friendly ports, and sea transport.

Global Leaders Share the Stage

A big plenary session brought together top maritime officials from places like Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. They all agreed on working together for lasting new ideas and sharing duties to build a strong blue economy that includes everyone.

The Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity ran sessions on the Amrit Kaal theme, talking about registering ships and funding them. Big money people, ship owners, and rule makers joined in.

States Show Off Their Plans

States rich in sea resources like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Goa, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands put up displays of projects tied to ports, blue economy ideas, and plans for maritime groups. Everything lines up with the vision for 2047.

A highlight was the Sagarmanthan dialogue at the Jio World Convention Centre. It is a place for deep talks where diplomats, planners, and sea experts chatted about links, caring for the environment, and rules for oceans.

Chief ministers from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Odisha were there, along with deputy chief ministers from Maharashtra and many international guests, business heads, officials, and students learning about the sea.

What is Coming Up Next

The event runs until October 31 with more than 100 focused talks, meetings for company bosses, and discussions between ministers. It all ties back to the old Indian thought that the world is one big family, connecting everyone through common goals for the seas.

This gathering is not just talks; it is about real steps to make India a maritime powerhouse while keeping things green and inclusive. If you are into how the ocean shapes our future, this is the place to watch.