Great Nicobar Project will increase India's maritime world trade; India set to create new maritime history: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, October 27, said the $5 billion Great Nicobar Island Development Project will increase the country's maritime trade multiple times.

Speaking at the inauguration of the India Maritime Week 2025, Shah said India has democratic stability and naval capabilities, and has bridged the gap between the Indo-Pacific and the global South.

"The $5 billion Great Nicobar project will increase the maritime world trade many times," Shah said during his speech at the event.

The construction of the ambitious infrastructure project began in 2021, aiming to transform the island in the Bay of Bengal.

Stressing that India believes in cooperation rather than competition, Shah said opportunities worth ₹10 lakh crore are available in the maritime sector.

India is aiming to be among the top five in shipbuilding and to increase cargo handling by three times to 10,000 MMTPA by developing deep-draft ports, Shah said.

The upcoming Vadhavan Port near Mumbai, with an investment of $10 billion, will be among the top-10 in the world on day one, Shah said.

He said the structural reforms carried out by the central government in the maritime sector have made India an emerging power in the global maritime sector.

The Union Minister said that we are at the cusp of creating a new maritime history, adding that the Gateway of India will soon transform into a 'Gateway of World' through initiatives like the maritime week.

India Maritime Week 2025

The India Maritime Week showcases the latest in maritime innovation, trade and sustainability. It is a five-day event organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in partnership with the Indian Ports Association. The ongoing event, from October 27 to 31, is the fourth edition of the initiative.

The event has received 1.5 lakh registrations from 11 countries and will feature over 350 foreign speakers, Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, said.

There will be 680 investment agreements with bets of over ₹10 crore across sub-sectors, he said, adding that this is expected to create 7 lakh new jobs.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, speaking at the event, said only a peaceful and law-abiding society can attract investors, noting significant progress made in internal security, stability and law and order under Shah's leadership of the Home Ministry.