Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 October 2026 called for a 'free, open, secure, and rules-based maritime order' that delivers peace and prosperity to all nations, delivering a written message to the third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi. The annual conference, co-organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), brings together policymakers, maritime leaders, and global experts to shape the future of ocean governance.

Modi's Core Message on Ocean Governance

In his address, Prime Minister Modi underscored India's expansive maritime vision, framing the oceans as a domain of shared responsibility rather than contested geography. 'We believe the oceans must become a source of shared prosperity, where every country has a voice and an opportunity to grow,' he said.

Drawing on the conference's name, Modi noted that Sagarmanthan — meaning 'churning of the ocean' in Sanskrit — carries deep resonance in Indian tradition, where such churning symbolises the emergence of new possibilities. He argued that events in any corner of the world now ripple across oceans, making structured global dialogue more critical than ever.

India's Maritime Progress: Key Milestones

Modi cited a series of domestic achievements to reinforce India's claim to maritime leadership. India's major ports have nearly doubled their capacity, while vessel turnaround times have dropped significantly, he noted. The government has also enacted new-generation maritime laws to modernise the sector's regulatory framework.

On the human capital front, Modi said Indian seafarers now constitute the second-largest maritime workforce in the world, with young Indians earning recognition across global shipping lanes. He added that investment in ocean science and exploration is deepening India's understanding of its seas and enabling responsible use of marine resources.

Environment and Coastal Ecosystems

Alongside economic ambitions, Modi stressed that India's maritime growth is being pursued in tandem with ocean health. 'As we build a stronger maritime economy, we are protecting the health of our oceans and coastal ecosystems,' he said, signalling that environmental stewardship is embedded in the country's maritime strategy.

This comes amid rising international concern over plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate-driven sea-level changes that disproportionately affect coastal and island nations. India's dual emphasis on growth and conservation places it in a position to bridge developed and developing-world perspectives at multilateral forums.

India's Maritime Vision: Cooperation and Mutual Benefit

Modi articulated India's maritime doctrine as resting on four pillars — cooperation, trust, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. He said India's maritime vision extends across regions and oceans and is not defined by zero-sum competition. He expressed confidence that Sagarmanthan would strengthen this vision and generate 'fresh ideas, deeper partnerships and opportunities for generations to come.'

Notably, the dialogue arrives at a moment of heightened tension in key global sea lanes, including the South China Sea and the Red Sea, lending Modi's call for a rules-based order additional geopolitical weight. As host of successive editions of Sagarmanthan, India is positioning itself as a convenor of maritime multilateralism, consistent with its broader 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.