PM Modi calls India a ‘steady lighthouse’ (PTI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra PM Modi on Wednesday described India as a “steady lighthouse” for the world amid global tensions and trade disruptions, projecting the country as a symbol of stability and growth.Speaking at the Maritime Leaders Conclave during the India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, PM Modi said, “India stands as a symbol of strategic autonomy, peace and inclusive growth,” adding that India’s vibrant democracy and reliability make the country special. “When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse. India can play the role of such a lighthouse with a lot of strength,” he said.
Emphasising India’s expanding role in global trade, the prime minister said the country’s maritime and trade initiatives are part of a broader vision to reshape global connectivity. He cited the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as an example of how India is helping redefine future trade routes.Calling 2025 a landmark year for the maritime sector, PM Modi said, as quoted by PTI, “India’s first deep-water international transshipment hub, Vizhinjam Port, became operational this year. Adding to the nation’s pride, the world’s largest container vessel recently docked at the port, showcasing its global capability.” He said India’s major ports achieved record-breaking cargo throughput in fiscal year 2024–25, setting new benchmarks in efficiency. “Kandla Port made history by launching the nation’s first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility,” he added.Highlighting the rapid transformation of the maritime sector, PM Modi said it is advancing “with great speed and energy,” with India’s ports now among the most efficient in the developing world. “We have replaced over a century-old colonial shipping laws with modern and futuristic laws suited for the 21st century,” he said.“The new shipping laws strengthen the role of state maritime boards and promote integration of digital technologies into port management,” he added, as quoted by PTI.Under the Maritime India Vision, PM Modi said over 150 initiatives have been launched, resulting in major improvements across the maritime sector. “The capacity of India’s major ports has doubled, and turnaround times have been significantly reduced,” he said.The prime minister said cruise tourism has gained momentum, with cargo movement increasing by more than 700 per cent. “The number of operational waterways has expanded from just three to an impressive 32,” he said. “Furthermore, the net annual surplus of our ports has seen a nine-fold increase over the past decade.”He said the maritime sector is a key driver of India’s economic growth and has undergone significant transformation over the last decade. “A quarter of the 21st century has passed. The next 25 years of this century are even more crucial, so our focus is on Blue Economy and Sustainable Coastal Development,” he said.