Sagarmanthan, the Great Oceans Dialogue, the biggest Maritime Thought Leadership forum in South Asia, got underway in New Delhi. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal; Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Greece; Dr. Amzath Ahmed, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives; Maria Lorena Villaverde, National Representative for the Province of Rio Negro, Argentina; TK Ramachandran, Secretary of MoPSW; and Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) were among the hundreds of maritime industry delegates in attendance.
It is a two-day event being organized by the Government of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). To advance sustainable and innovative marine practices, the initiative convenes scholars, industry executives, maritime specialists, and global policymakers.
The dialogue underscores India’s strategic role in global trade, with a 7,500-kilometer coastline and strategic islands that bolster its maritime potential. The event also highlights the nation’s commitment to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector through green initiatives such as the Harit Sagar Guidelines and the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Setting the context for the mega deliberations and discussion, Sarbananda Sonowal further added, “Recognising India’s maritime potential and its significance for economic growth, our government has implemented crucial policy measures for the ‘Blue and Ocean-based Economy’ over the last decade. Our participation in initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transport Corridor underscores our commitment to strengthening global trade partnerships. We are also preparing to build future ships that run on clean fuels like ammonia, hydrogen, and electric, capable of traversing brown, green, and blue waters. Our Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047 has placed great emphasis on climate action and environmental sustainability.”
The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Greece, Christos Stylianides, said, “For us policy makers, it is crucial to ensure a stable regulatory framework and a global level playing field for the industry. It is now time to set the foundations for forward-looking and realistic policies which will turn the current maritime challenges into opportunities. International transport systems with shipping at its core as an integral part should serve the three pillars of sustainability: the environmental, the social and the economic one. This will be done by optimising efficiency in connectivity, minimising pollution and ensuring resilience across the entire maritime chain. What we need now is collaboration and the ‘Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue’ is a great example in this direction. It is in our hands, in a spirit of partnership, to make this happen.”
The Minister of State, MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, highlighted the socio-economic potential of coastal communities and the need for global partnerships. The Minister stated, “India’s economic growth is guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—‘The World is One Family.’ Our ports and shipping corridors are not just about commerce but about connectivity, collaboration, and care for coastal communities and the environment. The oceans must be a global priority, not just for economic development but for ecological preservation and energy innovation.”
Speaking about this maiden initiative, Sagarmanthan, the Member, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC), Sanjeev Sanyal said, “This should serve as a guiding principle for all of us to strengthen and grow our maritime cluster. Our goal is to position ourselves at the forefront of the maritime sector, and to achieve this, we must draw on the expertise of industry leaders who set benchmarks across various verticals. The seas and oceans, gifts of nature, are abundant with resources, energy, and potential. It is our responsibility to harness them wisely, combining knowledge and skill to achieve sustainable growth. Our commitment must ensure that both the economy and ecology thrive in harmony, fostering progress without compromise. We have the technology, the young workers, the trade volume, the steel and the coastline—all the ingredients. So, we should aspire in 10 years to build 10-12 percent of the world’s ships and own/flag 8 percent.”
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, met bilaterally with Christos Stylianides, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy for Greece, today on the sidelines of Sagarmanthan. The two leaders decided to strengthen their marine ties after talking about a variety of issues. By concentrating on broadening, boosting, and balancing trade by 2030, the two leaders decided to double the current $1.94 billion in commerce.
Speaking after the meeting, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “It was a good meeting that we had here on the sidelines of Sagarmanthan. We discussed on collaboration and cooperation in multiple areas of maritime sector between the two countries. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India further deepened its bilateral relationship into strategic relationship with Greece. With this platform, India is working with Greece to expand economic cooperation with the European Union market. Given the economic potential in the Indian market, I am also reaching out shipping industries of Greece to consider setting their operations here through His Excellency the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece.”
The two maritime ministers also discussed and underscored the importance of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on maritime and shipping issues as important bilateral institutional mechanisms for consolidating sector-specific cooperation. Both the leaders agreed to optimally use strategic maritime assets towards sustainable development. Given the rich heritage of both nations, the ministers agreed to collaborate on the ongoing development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Government of India. The talks also touched important subjects like renewable energy, cultural and educational cooperation in maritime studies and explored multiple areas of maritime infrastructure development and its potential.
The two-day forum’s agenda includes sessions on maritime connectivity, sustainable development, technological innovation, and global maritime governance. The Ministry also showcased India’s advancements in port digitisation, renewable energy integration, and decarbonised shipping, reflecting the nation’s vision of becoming a global maritime hub. The dialogue featured participants from 60 countries across the globe, with more than 1700 participants, including ministers, former heads of state and government, journalists, and experts.
