Union Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates India Maritime Week

On the occasion of India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Amit Shah, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, inaugurated the flagship maritime event. He emphasised that India’s maritime vision is anchored in safety, stability and self‑reliance, and pointed to the structural reforms that have enabled India to emerge as a strong maritime power.

Mumbai Launch & Key Announcements

• Speaking at the launch, Mr Shah underlined that India’s 7,500‑km coastline, 13 coastal states and Union Territories, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 23.7 lakh sq km give the country major maritime advantages.
• He noted India’s strategic positioning as a bridge between the Indo‑Pacific region and the Global South, thanks to its democratic stability and naval capabilities.
• Alongside the Home Minister’s remarks, Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, stated that India Maritime Week has “evolved into one of the most prominent maritime gatherings in the world,” featuring participation from 85 countries, 500 + exhibitors, and 40 forums, under the theme “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision.”
• In addition, Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, announced the development of Vadhavan Port as India’s largest port and among the world’s top ten, further boosting India’s maritime power.

Strategic Significance and Sectoral Focus

The event reflects India’s push in several key maritime dimensions,

• Infrastructure expansion: Plans such as developing Vadhavan Port signal massive port‑capacity growth and global connectivity.
• Shipbuilding and ship‑repair ecosystem: With states such as Goa, Odisha and Gujarat being active partners, the ship‑building corridor is a focus area for investment.
• Blue economy and maritime trade: By emphasising India’s role in the Indo‑Pacific and Global South, the narrative centres on connectivity, logistics and trade corridors.
• Technology & sustainability: The thematic framing of the week highlights modernisation of ports, digitalisation of maritime operations, and sustainability for ocean assets.

These facets all align with broader government vision documents that treat the maritime sector as a pillar of a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) by 2047.