New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that India’s dependence on foreign countries remains one of its biggest enemies. He said it is high time that India stands before the world as a self-reliant nation to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The Prime Minister was addressing the ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’ programme in Bhavnagar today. Unveiling his government’s vision to make India a maritime superpower, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country aims to triple its share in global maritime trade by 2047. He said, for global peace, stability, and prosperity, the world’s most populous country must become self-reliant.
He cautioned that reliance on others compromises national self-respect. Mr Modi asserted that the future of 140 crore Indians cannot be left to external forces, nor can the resolve for national development be based on foreign dependency. He declared that the solution to a hundred problems is one-building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. To achieve this, India must confront challenges, reduce external dependence, and demonstrate true self-reliance.
During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over 32,000 crore rupees. Mr Modi also inaugurated the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal along with several major maritime projects valued at more than 7,800 crore rupees. The Prime Minister said the country is now working rigorously to reclaim its legacy and emerge as a global maritime power. India’s coastlines have always been a symbol of prosperity and now its sea shores will become gateways of India’s future growth, the Prime Minister said. India’s maritime sector is undergoing next-generation reforms. He announced that the sector would soon adopt a “One Nation, One Port Procedure,” aiming to simplify port procedures across the country. He described the recent passage of five maritime-related bills in Parliament as a “game-changer” that will modernise port governance
He also held previous governments responsible for weakening the maritime sector, stating that the license raj system and post-globalisation policies led to an increased dependency on foreign nations.
Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the ancient town of Lothal near Ahmedabad and reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex, NMHC.
He inspected completed works and chaired a review meeting with officials. The NMHC is being developed at a cost of 4,500 crore rupees at the historic site, which was once a significant trading centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It aims to showcase India’s rich maritime legacy to the world. Prime Minister also undertook an aerial survey of Dholera Smart City.
