India has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable maritime growth by hosting the Second BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam this week. The two-day high-level gathering brought together key stakeholders from Bay of Bengal countries to advance port-led development, green shipping initiatives, and regional trade under a unified vision for a resilient and connected economic corridor.
The conclave, themed Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships, underscored India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, focusing on shared prosperity among BIMSTEC nations. With participants from South Asia and Southeast Asia, the conclave marked a pivotal moment in reimagining the Bay of Bengal as a hub of sustainable maritime activity. Discussions at the event focused on a wide range of forward-looking areas, including harmonisation of customs procedures, port-linked industrial zones, cruise tourism, and digital logistics integration. Stakeholders also explored opportunities in decarbonising maritime operations and building an upskilled, gender-neutral maritime workforce, aligning with the broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions and inclusive growth.
A key highlight was the collective push to expand intra-regional trade through enhanced connectivity and reduced shipping times. Delegates expressed optimism that improved links between Indian and Southeast Asian ports could significantly cut transit durations and costs, thereby catalysing both trade and employment. The conclave also looked beyond trade, tapping into emerging opportunities in the blue economy—particularly in marine biodiversity, renewable energy, and sustainable coastal tourism. Regional development partners and private sector representatives stressed the need for innovation-led port operations and the creation of eco-friendly maritime zones. Visakhapatnam, having hosted the inaugural edition of the Ports Conclave in 2019, once again served as a strategic venue for strengthening ties between India and its BIMSTEC counterparts. Past agreements have already demonstrated tangible outcomes, including reduced shipping timeframes between Thailand and India, setting the stage for scalable maritime initiatives.
While each country’s maritime strategy may differ, the conclave reflected a common aspiration—to transform the Bay of Bengal into a corridor of growth that balances economic ambition with environmental responsibility. This coordinated maritime approach not only supports national interests but also promotes a broader agenda of sustainable and equitable development across borders. In a region increasingly shaped by ecological awareness and economic interdependence, such initiatives may prove crucial in steering the subcontinent’s maritime future towards resilience and regeneration.
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