The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the Indian Ports Association, hosted the Leaders’ Dialogue on Green and Digital Maritime Corridors in Mumbai, setting the stage for India Maritime Week 2025. The event convened over 300 delegates, including senior government officials, international dignitaries, industry leaders, and maritime stakeholders from India and abroad.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in a video message, emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bilateral relations with Singapore have expanded across sectors. He stated that the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will accelerate the adoption of low-emission technologies, strengthen digital tools, and transform maritime operations. He described these corridors as economic, green, and digital pathways that will redefine global trade dynamics.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined the state’s maritime roadmap through 2029, 2035, and 2047, declaring that Vadhavan Port is poised to be among the world’s top ten ports from its very first day of operations, transforming India’s maritime infrastructure ecosystem.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong praised the 60-year India-Singapore partnership and highlighted collaboration in green shipping, renewable energy, and maritime innovation as key to accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow affirmed that India and Singapore are natural allies in the maritime sector and announced that the upcoming memorandum of understanding on the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will be concluded in September 2025.
T K Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the role of international corridors such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the International North-South Transport Corridor, and the Eastern Maritime Corridor in promoting trade, maritime governance, and regional integration. He noted that the India-Singapore corridor, formalized through a Letter of Intent in March 2025, aligns with both nations’ priorities in clean energy, smart logistics, and digital innovation.
R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports), briefed the gathering on India Maritime Week 2025 as the Ministry’s flagship platform to showcase India’s maritime capabilities, innovation, policy vision, and global partnerships. He stated that “Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision” is more than a tagline—it is a commitment to bringing the world’s maritime stakeholders together in the current geopolitical environment.
Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman of JNPA and CMD of VPPL, emphasized JNPA’s pivotal role in driving India’s maritime vision and called for charting a course towards greener, smarter, and more connected corridors. The day-long dialogue featured thematic sessions on maritime reforms, infrastructure achievements, and international cooperation, followed by panel discussions on resilient and sustainable maritime economic corridors.
India Maritime Week 2025 will be held from October 27 to October 31 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. The event will convene global and domestic stakeholders to foster innovation, policy dialogue, and investment, contributing to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The Leaders’ Dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor. The event was supported by ASSOCHAM as Industry Partner and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP as Knowledge Partner.
