THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, MAY 7, 2026

Women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has surged by an impressive 340 per cent since 2020, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said on Thursday, highlighting the government’s sustained efforts to build a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready maritime workforce.

Delivering the keynote address at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal underscored “Nari Shakti” as a defining pillar of India’s maritime growth story. The minister was joined at the event by Dhananjay Ramful, Foreign Minister of Mauritius, and Waleed Mohammed Al-Qadimi, Minister of State of Yemen.

“Through initiatives like ‘Sagar Mein Samman’, we are advancing dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the maritime sector, which has seen a remarkable rise of about 340% since 2020,” Sonowal said. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, this transformation in the maritime sector is helping shape a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready workforce for the Indian Ocean Region.”

Positioning the rise in women’s participation within India’s broader maritime vision, Sonowal said the country’s approach combines economic expansion with social empowerment. He stressed that the “human element” remains central to India’s maritime strategy, alongside efforts to strengthen security, connectivity and sustainability across the region.

 “The Indian Ocean is not just a geographic space, but a global lifeline,” Sonowal said. “Its importance to global energy flows, trade and supply chains calls for stronger cooperation, resilience and inclusivity.”

The Union Minister further noted that India’s maritime initiatives are aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through strategic frameworks such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR, both aimed at deepening regional cooperation and ensuring equitable and sustainable growth.

Hosted by India as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the 2025–27 term, the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue is themed “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World.” The forum has brought together ministers, policymakers, academics and industry leaders to deliberate on maritime security, blue economy, disaster risk management, climate resilience and women’s empowerment.

Under India’s chairmanship, IORA is focusing on the themes of “Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability,” with women’s economic empowerment identified as a key cross-cutting priority.

Highlighting India’s growing role as a “net security provider” in the region, Sonowal pointed to the country’s initiatives in humanitarian assistance, maritime surveillance and disaster response. He stressed that no single nation can tackle emerging maritime challenges alone and called for deeper collective action based on transparency, mutual trust and respect for international law.

 “India remains committed to working with all partners to advance a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region,” Sonowal said.

The Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD), IORA’s flagship Track 1.5 platform launched in Kochi in 2014, serves as a key forum for discussions on regional cooperation and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region. IORA currently comprises 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners, with a strong focus on economic cooperation, blue economy and women’s economic empowerment.

The 10th edition of the Dialogue, being held in New Delhi on May 7–8, 2026, features dedicated sessions on maritime security, blue economy, disaster risk management, climate change and women-led development.