Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for self-reliance in every field, asserting that India’s dependence on foreign countries remains one of its biggest enemies. He said it is high time that India stands before the world as a self-reliant nation to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The Prime Minister was addressing the ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’ programme in Bhavnagar today. Unveiling his government’s vision to make India a maritime superpower, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country aims to triple its share in global maritime trade by 2047.
During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over 32,000 crore rupees. Mr. Modi also inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal along with several major maritime projects valued at more than 7,800 crore rupees.
Reiterating India’s historical maritime strength, the Prime Minister said there was a time when 40 to 50 per cent of the world’s maritime trade was carried out through ships built in India. He added that the country is now working rigorously to reclaim its legacy and emerge as a global maritime power.
India’s coastlines have always been a symbol of prosperity and now its sea shores will become gateways of India’s future growth, the Prime Minister said
He also held previous governments responsible for weakening the maritime sector, stating that the license raj system and post-globalisation policies led to an increased dependency on foreign nations.
The Prime Minister said India’s maritime sector is undergoing next-generation reforms. He announced that the sector would soon adopt a “One Nation, One Port Procedure,” aiming to simplify port procedures across the country. He described the recent passage of five maritime-related bills in Parliament as a “game-changer” that will modernise port governance.
Highlighting India’s capabilities in indigenous shipbuilding, PM Modi cited the example of INS Vikrant. He also spoke about various initiatives taken by the government to boost the maritime economy, including the development of new ports, the expansion of existing infrastructure, and the promotion of cruise tourism, which has contributed to a significant increase in overall port capacity.
Underscoring India’s civilizational maritime legacy, the Prime Minister said the government is establishing a National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal to showcase the country’s ancient maritime traditions and preserve them for future generations.
