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India’s goal is to build a green maritime future by striking a right balance between development and environment, union home minister Amit Shah said in his address at the India Maritime Week in Mumbai on Monday. While India has embarked on developing it’s port and maritime infrastructure it has not forgotten small island states and countries from the Global South which depend upon seas for their livelihood and for whom climate change is an existential issue, Shah said. The fourth edition of India Maritime Week which began on Monday is the largest yet and the government is using the opportunity to showcase it’s maritime ambitions and attract investment. The event also comes amid trade tensions and supply chain bottlenecks that threaten to slow down economies globally. Three pillars Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maritime vision is based on three pillars: security, stability, and self-reliance. “With the Maritime India Vision 2030, through initiatives like Sagarmala, blue economy, and green maritime vision, we have set a goal to place India among the top five countries in the global shipbuilding industry. We are also constructing new mega and deep-draft ports,” he said. Shah said the $ 5 billion Great Nicobar Project is under construction, which will significantly enhance India’s maritime global trade. “Additionally, with an investment of 200 million dollars, we are moving forward with constructing India’s largest dock at Cochin Shipyard,” he said. In September Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi had raised ecological concerns about the Great Nicobar project. The ruling BJP had shot back accusing the Congress of undermining India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. Shah stated that the Modi government has ensured the development of the blue economy to enhance security, coastal security, and the safety of fishermen. Over the past decade, coastal shipping has seen a 118 percent increase, and cargo handling has risen by 150 per cent. He noted that turn-around-time at Indian ports too has reduced bringing it closer to global standards. Published on October 27, 2025
