New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of Maritime India Summit-2021 via video conferencing. The summit will help in furthering the development of India’s maritime economy. Many countries are participating in the event, including CEOs and ambassadors of several countries to promote investment in the maritime sector in India. More than one lakh participants from 50 countries have registered online for the MIS Summit 2021, scheduled from March 2 to March 4.
Asserting that India is a natural leader in maritime sectory with a rich history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the nation is very sincere to emerge as as a leading blue economy of the world and pointed out that the government aims to operationalise 23 waterways by 2030.
“The Summit brings together many stakeholders relating to this sector. I am sure we will achieve great success in boosting the maritime economy. India is a natural leader in this sector. Our nation has a rich maritime history. Civilisation flourished on our coasts. For thousand of years, our ports have been important trading centres. Our coasts connected India to the world,” the Prime Minister said.
“Through this Summit, I want to invite the world to come to India and be a part of our growth trajectory. India is very sincere about growing in the maritime sector and emerging as leading blue economy of the world,” he added.
India’s leading focus area in maritime sector includes– upgrade current infrastructure, create new generation infrastructure, boost the reform journey, PM Modi said.
“Through these steps, we aim to give strength to our vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the government is investing in waterways in a way that was never seen before. Domestic waterways are found to be cost effective and environment friendly way for transporting freight, he said.
“We aim to operationalize 23 waterways by 2030. India has as many as 189 lighthouses across its vast coastline. We have drawn up a program for developing tourism in the land adjacent to 78 lighthouses,” he added.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra launched the Sagar Manthan- Mercantile Maritime Domain Awareness Centre and e-book of maritime vision 2030, which is aiming to make the Indian maritime insutry at par with the top global benchmark in the next 10 years.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Maritime India Summit 2021 is being organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on a virtual platform www.maritimeindiasummit.in
The summit will visualise a roadmap for India’s Maritime sector for next decade and will work to propel India to the forefront of the Global Maritime Sector. Eminent speakers from several countries are expected to attend the summit and explore the potential business opportunities and investments in Indian Maritime domain. Denmark is the partner country for the three-day summit.