Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates the ‘India Maritime Week – 2025’

Mumbai:27/10/25:Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the ‘India Maritime Week – 2025’ in Mumbai, Maharashtra today. On this occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, along with many other distinguished dignitaries, were present.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah stated that Mumbai is home to the world-famous Gateway of India. He said that this moment is India’s Maritime Moment, which is transforming the Gateway of India into the Gateway of the World. He said that over the past decade, Maritime Summits have proven that, based on the deep structural reforms implemented in the Maritime Economy, India has emerged as a powerful force and stands with full strength on the global maritime map.

Shri Amit Shah stated that India’s maritime strength and strategic location are evident from the fact that our coastline stretches over 11,000 kilometers. The 13 coastal states and Union Territories contribute approximately 60 percent to the GDP. He noted that the 23.7 lakh square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) attracts investors and manufacturers worldwide, with around 800 million people residing in these maritime states. Shri Shah further said that the 38 countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) contribute approximately 12 percent to global exports. Through this summit, we are showcasing this immense potential to global investors and champions of the maritime industry.

Union Home Minister stated that under the Sagarmala project, 839 projects worth 70 billion dollars have been identified for completion by March 2025, of which 272 projects worth 17 billion dollars have already been completed. The 5 billion dollar Great Nicobar Project is under construction, which will significantly enhance India’s maritime global trade. Additionally, with an investment of 200 million dollars, we are moving forward with constructing India’s largest dock at Cochin Shipyard. Furthermore, a Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed in Gujarat. Shri Shah said that to align with essential international laws, outdated Indian laws have also been reformed. In 2025, our Parliament passed the 117-year-old Indian Ports Bill, updated to reflect contemporary needs and a global perspective. Through the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, we have paved the way for granting greater autonomy to ports and modernizing their institutional framework. He also mentioned that 106 new waterways have been declared under the National Waterways Act, 2016.