India aims to operationalize 23 domestic waterways by 2023: PM Modi at Maritime India Summit 2021

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 2nd Maritime India Summit which will be held in a virtual mode on March 2, 2021. The event has been organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and waterways jointly with EY as the knowledge partner and FICCI as the Industrial Partner.

The summit will see the participation of 20,000 delegates as well as 24 partner countries who will join the two-day event. More than 400 projects will also be showcased in the Maritime India Summit-2021.

While addressing a curtain-raiser press conference on February 11, Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways stated that the Maritime India Summit will provide a powerful platform for international collaboration and will also bring in partner countries for the mutual exchange of opportunities and knowledge.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Maritime India Summit 2021 pic.twitter.com/ntQuSata3j

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

Prime Minister Modi while addressing the summit mentioned that it brings together many stakeholders related to the maritime. He added that the maritime sector will surely achieve success in boosting the maritime economy as India is a natural leader in this sector and has a rich maritime history.

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: PM Modi during Maritime India Summit 2021 pic.twitter.com/G1KTNHltbm

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

In his address, PM Modi invited other countries to India so that they can be a part of the growth trajectory. He added that India is sincere about growing in the maritime sector and aims at emerging as a leading blue economy of the world.

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: PM Modi at Maritime India Summit 2021 pic.twitter.com/L3Y8HC93wy

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

While informing about the plans in the marine sector, PM  Modi informed that the government aims at investing in waterways like never before. Domestic waterways are found to be environment friendly and cost-effective for transporting freight and India aims to operationalize 23 waterways by 2023. 

Our govt 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. We aim to operationalize 23 waterways by 2030: PM Modi at Maritime India Summit 2021

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

On India's plan of tourism, PM Modi mentioned that India has 189 lighthouses across its vast coastlines and the government has drawn up a program for developing tourism in the land adjacent to the 78 lighthouses.

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: PM Modi during Maritime India Summit 2021 pic.twitter.com/Od9ewsfsbB

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

E-book 'Maritime India Vision 2030' released:

Prime Minister while inaugurating the 2nd Maritime Summit released an e-book 'Maritime India Vision 2030' which aims at making the Indian maritime industry at par with the top global benchmark in the next 10 years.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases the e-book 'Maritime India Vision 2030', at the Maritime India Summit. pic.twitter.com/RyjTUH21fE

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

PM Modi on the inauguration has also launched the Sagar Manthan-Mercantile Maritime Domain Awareness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the Sagar Manthan- Mercantile Maritime Domain Awareness Centre pic.twitter.com/LQ790TPwz9

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2021

Maritime India Summit 2021: Key Details

• The Maritime Summit is one of the biggest virtual summit in the world. It will see the participation of 1.7 lakh participants from more than 100 nations. 

• In the three-day summit, there will be ministers from 8 nations, over 50 global CEOs, and more than 160 speakers including 115 international speakers from 24 nations. 

• Several countries will be participating in the event including the ambassadors and CEOs of several countries in order to boost investment in the maritime sector in India.

• Over 1 lakh participants from 50 countries have registered online for the virtual summit. 

Significance:

The Maritime India Summit-2021 will provide a unique platform that will have the virtual and physical presence of prominent shipping and transport dignitaries/ministers from all over the world.

The maritime states of India will also be participating in the summit through the dedicated sessions. The summit will include an exclusive CEOs forum and various breakout/thematic sessions.

Brochure and website of MIS launched:

The Union Minister Shipping launched a brochure and the website www.maritimeindiasummit.in for the Maritime India Summit-2021.

Because of the ongoing pandemic situation, the ministry decided that the entire summit will be held in a virtual mode on a virtual platform from March 2 to March 4, 2021. The registration for the exhibitors and the visitors has started on February 11 with the launch.

Maritime sector in Budget 2021-22:

The Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterway Dr. Sanjiv Ranjan also briefly explained the Budget 2021-22 announcements that are related to shipping, ports, and maritime sector and termed them as a pathbreaking initiatives to promote Aatmnirbhar Bharat.

He added that a whole new range of opportunities will be opening up with the Major Ports Authorities Bill 2020, which was passed in the Parliament on February 10.