Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Maritime India Summit 2021’ through video conferencing at 11 AM on Tuesday. The summit was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Denmark is the partner country for this summit, being held from March 2 to 4. During the conference, a roadmap for India’s maritime sector for the next decade was conceptualized, with which PM Modi also released an e-book ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’. With this, India will work to advance in the global maritime sector. Apart from this, the Prime Minister also launched the ocean commerce sector awareness centre ‘Sagar Manthan’.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) Mansukh Mandaviya, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were also present during the summit.
Civilizations flourished on our shores
During his address at the Maritime India Summit 2021, PM Modi said that India has vast beaches. Our nation has a rich maritime history. Civilizations flourished on our shores. Our ports have been important trading centres for thousands of years. Our shores connected us to the world.
Invited the world to be a part of the development journey
PM Modi said that through this summit, I invite the world to be a part of our development journey. He said that India is the natural leader of maritime. The ports of our country are connected to the world and are important centres of trade. I would urge the world to come and be a part of our growth. India is serious about emerging as one of the world’s leading blue economy. Our ports reduced the waiting time for incoming cargo.
India reduces waiting time for cargo
PM Modi said that Indian ports now have such measures. There is direct port delivery, direct port entry and an upgraded port community system (PCS) for easy data flow. He said our ports have reduced waiting times for inbound and outbound cargo.
Target to commission 23 waterways by 2030
The Prime Minister said that our government is such a government which is investing in waterways in a way never seen before. He pointed out that domestic waterways are effective and environmentally friendly methods for freight transportation. It also said that we aim to have 23 waterways operational by 2030.
78 lighthouses and adjacent areas to be made unique maritime tourism landmarks
PM Modi said there are 189 lighthouses on the vast coastline of India. We have prepared a program to develop tourism in the areas adjacent to 78 lighthouses. The main objective of this initiative is to develop the existing lighthouse and its surrounding areas into a unique Maritime Tourism Landmark room.
Focus on domestic shipbuilding and ship repair market.
He said that the Government of India is also focusing on the market related to domestic shipbuilding and ship repair. To encourage domestic shipbuilding, we have approved the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy for the Indian Shipyard.
