THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 7, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for a “free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order” to ensure peace, prosperity and progress for all nations, while highlighting India’s expanding port capacity, new-generation maritime laws and ambitions in shipbuilding and green shipping.

In a written message to the third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, being organised here by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Modi welcomed policymakers, maritime leaders and experts from across the world to the thought leadership conference.

 “Our vision is of a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order that brings greater peace, prosperity and progress for all. I am confident that Sagarmanthan will give greater strength to this larger vision,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said developments in one part of the world can have repercussions far beyond its shores, making global dialogue and cooperation on oceans more important than ever.

He said the name Sagarmanthan, which means “churning of the ocean”, carries special significance in Indian tradition, where the churning is associated with the discovery of new possibilities.

 “The oceans hold immense promise for the world's economies, people and planet,” Modi said, underscoring the need to harness their potential while ensuring their sustainability.

India's relationship with the ocean is also rooted in responsibility, he said, adding that the country's efforts to build a stronger maritime economy are being accompanied by measures to protect ocean health and coastal ecosystems.

 “India's maritime vision extends across regions and oceans and is built on cooperation, trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” Modi said.

“We believe the oceans must become a source of shared prosperity, where every country has a voice and an opportunity to grow,” he added.

Tracing India's long maritime history, Modi referred to the ancient port city of Lothal, the Chola dynasty and the naval vision of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Indian sailors and traders, he said, carried goods, ideas, stories and culture to distant lands, establishing enduring links across regions.

He linked India's renewed maritime ambitions with the government's Viksit Bharat vision of transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047.

“India is looking at the sea with a renewed sense of purpose. The journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047 is also a journey towards a stronger and more capable maritime India,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation underway in India's port sector, saying major ports have nearly doubled their capacity while turnaround times have declined significantly.

 “We are preparing for a new era of shipbuilding and green shipping,” he said, pointing to the country's efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure and build a more competitive and sustainable shipping ecosystem.

Modi also highlighted the government's efforts to modernise the regulatory framework for the sector through new-generation maritime laws.

 “India has also brought in new-generation maritime laws to create a modern framework for the sector,” he said, adding that the government is simultaneously investing in ocean science and exploration to improve understanding of India's seas and ensure responsible utilisation of their potential.

India's maritime workforce is another major strength, with Modi noting that Indian seafarers now constitute the world's second-largest maritime workforce. Young Indians, he said, are earning respect across the world's oceans.

The Prime Minister reiterated that economic growth at sea must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship, stressing that a stronger maritime economy should not come at the cost of ocean and coastal ecosystems.

He expressed confidence that Sagarmanthan would lend greater momentum to India's broader maritime vision and generate fresh ideas, deeper partnerships and new opportunities for future generations.

The third edition of the dialogue brings together global policymakers, maritime industry leaders and experts to deliberate on issues shaping the future of oceans, shipping and the wider maritime economy.