The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Ambassadors’ Roundtable Meet in New Delhi on Wednesday, setting the stage for India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, scheduled for 27–31 October at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.
Held at the Taj Mansingh Hotel, the event brought together ambassadors and high commissioners from over 25 countries, alongside senior government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from multilateral and bilateral institutions.
The Roundtable was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. In his address, the Minister emphasised the strategic role of India’s maritime sector in boosting trade, fostering innovation, and enhancing global connectivity. He reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to transforming the maritime industry into a cornerstone of economic growth, sustainability, and international collaboration.
“The power of water has long empowered global societies across many facets of human civilization,” Sonowal stated. “We must harness its resources responsibly, without compromising our ecology and environment, to build a sustainable world for future generations.”
Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the government’s efforts to modernize port infrastructure, expand inland waterways, and promote investments in green and digital shipping technologies.
“The maritime and logistics sector is among the most promising drivers of India’s economic transformation,” he said. “As our Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has often noted, ports are not merely gateways to prosperity but also to India’s future. Guided by this vision, we are modernizing our maritime sector to become a pillar of nation-building and a beacon of sustainable development.”
A comprehensive presentation by R. Laxmanan, Joint Secretary of MoPSW, outlined the agenda for India Maritime Week 2025, highlighting opportunities for international cooperation, private sector investment, and innovation-driven growth.
The Roundtable facilitated robust discussions on key areas, including investment opportunities, collaborative projects in shipbuilding and port-led development, promotion of blue economy initiatives, digitalisation of maritime logistics, and the adoption of environmentally sustainable shipping practices.
In his concluding remarks, Sonowal emphasised that India Maritime Week 2025 will serve as a vital platform to position India as a global maritime hub while deepening engagement with international partners. The insights and outcomes from the Roundtable will be integrated into the preparations for IMW 2025, ensuring the event addresses the priorities of stakeholders from India and abroad.
India Maritime Week, the Ministry’s biennial flagship event, convenes national and international policymakers, investors, and thought leaders to shape the future of India’s ports and logistics sector. The 2025 edition will highlight India’s journey toward maritime excellence, focusing on people, infrastructure, and a future-ready vision.
Envoys lauded India’s recent legislative reforms, including the introduction of five new laws – the Bills of Lading Act, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, Merchant Shipping Act, Coastal Shipping Act, and Indian Ports Act – which replace colonial-era regulations and align India with international best practices.
