Maiden Maritime India Summit is a first step to make India economic superpower – Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh today said that the Maritime India Summit will prove to be the first step in the direction of India becoming economic super power. “Indian maritime sector, which was facing stagnation, but the situation has completely changed in last two years, due to focused efforts of the Ministry of Shipping,” he said, delivering the Valedictory Address in Mumbai.
“India has glorious maritime history, dating back to Indus civilization. Many thinkers from China and France have unconditionally and undoubtedly accepted the fact. Sea route has played pivotal role in trade and cultural exchange from India with rest of the world,” Singh added. “Growth in maritime sector will directly lead to GDP growth of the country. Over all, the summit is a grand success. I congratulate shipping ministry for the event,” the Home Minister said.
Union Minister for Shipping Mr. Nitin Gadkari said “development of any country depends upon the port activities and shipping. This is for the first time in history that 12 government owned ports have recorded profits to the tune of ₹4,200 crore. This is a significant achievement in the backdrop of poor financial condition of private players in the sector,”
Commending government’s efforts in putting the maritime sector to the forefront, Rana Kapoor, CEO, Yes Bank said, “through flagship initiatives like ‘Sagarmala’, Inland waterways and the ‘Shipbuilding Scheme’ the Government has brought the much needed dynamism and energy to the Maritime Sector. This vibrancy has restored the faith of global as well as local investors in this sector who have got back the courage to make fresh investments in this sector.”
The summit provided a platform for participation, engagement and interaction from 42 countries. More than 5000 delegates from around the globe participated in the Summit.
‘World Needs to Pay Heed To Maritime Security’: Kiren Rijiju
Maritime security is a critical component of both global and national strategic security, and is even more contextual to the emerging paradigm of a ‘blue economy,’ said Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home, Government of India on Friday at the maiden Maritime India Summit, 2016 held here.
One of the major maritime security threats that occupy the attention of the international merchant shipping community, maritime and naval administration is piracy. It involves physical safety & security measures, port security, counter piracy, armed robbery, anti-terrorism, counter-human trafficking and anti-contraband goods (narcotic drugs & psychotropic substance smuggling), said Shri Rijiju. “Hence, there is a need for a robust maritime security framework to counter the growing menace of piracy to safeguard bilateral trade and commerce,” said Shri Rijiju.
India’s quintessential maritime infrastructure and its geo-strategic location are the key factors that have defined the growth of India. The Indian Navy currently remains the principal manifestation of India’s maritime power, and plays a central role in safeguarding and promoting national interests in the maritime domain, said Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of Naval Staff.
The Navy’s roles and responsibilities have expanded significantly over the years in response to changing geo-economic and geo-strategic circumstances, he said. “Maritime security is a key driver for a stable ecosystem that enables robust economy and sustainable development. Majority of export-import trade (EXIM) is conducted through sea routes, and the commercial value of oceans have been increasingly revaluated due to the potential of offshore resources, fossil energy and seabed mining,” said Admiral Sunil Lanba, Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
“India and South East Asian countries have been most affected since all EXIM cargo is transported through piracy-ridden waters of Arabian Sea and India Ocean. Maritime vulnerability is one of the plaguing issues in the Somalia basin and Gulf of Aden as there has been reports of ships getting hijacked along with crew members for ransom. Similarly, In West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, the attacks on the merchant ships are concentrated near the post of Lagos, along the Nigerian coast,” said Mr. Cyrus Mody, Assistant Director, and International Maritime Bureau.
PIB Mum | CS (MD)
