Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue will be co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in New Delhi, India, on November 18–19.
India is positioned as a center for international maritime ideas because to this unique conversation. Through discussions among stakeholders from various cultures, settings, goals, and objectives at the conference, it seeks to create routes that will influence global maritime policy, according to a news statement from MoPSW and ORF.

More than 160 participants from 60 countries will take part in the Dialogue, which is being hosted in collaboration with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DP World, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Deutsches Schifffahrts Museum. These participants will include ministers, former heads of state and government, a delegation of lawmakers, senior officials, and experts.

“Sagarmanthan is an attempt to celebrate the best available knowledge in the maritime sector from global experts with deep understanding, wisdom, and insights on upcoming trends,” said Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, prior to the discussion. Sagarmanthan is a premier platform for everyone to seek knowledge, share wisdom, map out pathways, and set the course for the maritime sector’s collective journey going forward, especially since 2014 under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India’s role as a significant and key maritime player has grown significantly.

“As a species, we are in a precarious position with a moral obligation to our future generations through sustainable development efforts,” he said. Over the course of these two days of intensive, serious, and targeted talks at Sagarmanthan, we expect to learn a wealth of information that will hone our intelligence and wit for better initiative results and unleash the Blue Economy’s potential.

In order to honor the thought-provoking seafaring concepts and commemorate Bharat’s tryst with knowledge—a festival that dates back thousands of years—the Ministry hopes to turn this first endeavor into an annual flagship event. With Sagarmanthan, India hopes to take the lead in important conversations about resilient communities, sustainable practices, and equitable development. This will help to create a common vision for a vibrant and sustainable blue economy that is in line with “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—”The World is One Family.”

“This forum reflects India’s commitment to a resilient and sustainable maritime future, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship,” said Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. By working together, we are charting the path to a blue economy that is inclusive, progressive, and equipped to handle future obstacles.”

“India finds itself at a pivotal crossroads as the world’s future becomes increasingly linked to India and as India’s own future is anchored in the maritime domain,” Dr. Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation, said. Through strategic alliances, India now has the chance and the obligation to influence the global maritime agenda. The Sagarmanthan discourse aims to close the gap created by the ocean’s expanding role in maritime governance, which makes a complete ocean discourse more important than ever.

Notably, the Dialogue will begin with an Inaugural Session that will include Maria Lorena Villaverde, National Representative for the Province of Rio Negro, Argentina; Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Greece; Amzath Ahmed, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives; Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India; Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, India; and TK Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council in India; Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa and India Subcontinent, DP World; John Kayode Fayemi, President of the Forum of Regions of Africa, Nigeria; and Signe Brudeset, Director General of the Regional Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway, will all give keynote addresses shortly after this.

Essential discussions on subjects including the global marine economy, ports, shipping, waterways, essential minerals, diverse supply chains, the blue economy, maritime logistics, training, and labor standards will take place. Special Envoy and Blue Economy Advisor Nancy Karigithu of the Executive Office of the President in Kenya; Lord Karan Bilimoria of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom; Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldivian president; Carl Bildt, former Swedish prime minister and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations; Mehdi Jomaa, former Tunisian prime minister; Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, former Swedish member of the European Parliament; Stella Alexia Mantzari, CEO of AS Marine Ltd. in Greece; Tarun Kapoor, Prime Minister’s advisor; Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO and CFO, DP World; and Arjun Chowgule, president of the Indian Shipyards Association are scheduled to provide expert interventions.

Over the course of two days, Sagarmanthan will serve as a catalyst for the engagement of many players from policymaking ecosystems, guiding discussions on marine problems of global importance and assisting in the formation of opinions about India, its goals, presence, and interests.