The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS), one of the largest gatherings in the maritime industry, witnessed a historic second day with a major investment of ₹2.37 lakh crores. A total of 70 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were inked across various sectors of the maritime industry, signifying a monumental step toward sustainable development.
Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Today, at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023, a new era of sustainable development was initiated, with the signing of a record 70 MoUs, totaling an investment of ₹2.37 lakh crores. The maritime sector is playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards Green Sustainability Transportation.”
He went on to highlight the remarkable progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing India’s ascent to the fifth-largest economy globally and the commitment to scaling up further growth by 2047. GMIS is a crucial catalyst in achieving these goals, fostering an exchange of ideas and clear vision for India’s development.
The day was not only marked by MoU signings but also by Ministerial-level bilateral meetings with delegates from Italy, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka. These meetings aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation and deepen relationships between these countries.
The GMIS’s second day featured a series of insightful sessions addressing various aspects of the maritime industry. These sessions discussed critical topics ranging from green shipping and ports to the latest trends in shipping and maritime logistics. The first session, chaired by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, emphasized the role of the shipping sector in aligning with environmental goals.
Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, presided over sessions on the latest trends in shipping and maritime logistics, and Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, discussed developing inland waterways as part of multimodal economic corridors.
Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, Waterways, and Tourism, highlighted initiatives to promote cruise tourism.
The day concluded with a roundtable on the Chabahar Post and its role in enhancing regional connectivity within the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), co-chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal and Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs & State for Culture.
In a significant move to boost maritime trade and commerce, an MoU was signed to explore the transportation of cargo between India and Bangladesh via National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra). This initiative will facilitate the trade flow between the Northeast region of India and Bangladesh, strengthening regional commerce and promoting economic growth.
The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 has clearly set the stage for substantial investment and sustainable development in the maritime industry. With these significant MoU signings and impactful discussions, India is poised for a brighter and greener maritime future, aligning with global sustainability goals.
In its inaugural session, GMIS 2023 laid the foundation for 21 projects and signed 34 MoUs worth ₹3.24 lakh crores, solidifying India’s commitment to sustainable and green projects. The event witnessed the launch of “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047” by PM Modi, a roadmap for the maritime sector’s development over the next 25 years, aiming to make India self-reliant by 2047.