Union Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that India`s maritime position, democratic stability, and naval capabilities are playing a crucial role in connecting the Indo-Pacific and the Global South, along with accelerating development, security, and environmental protection through its maritime presence

Addressing the inauguration of the fourth India Maritime Week-2025 in Mumbai, Shah noted that India`s maritime history dates back 5000 years and said that now India is ready to create a new maritime history

"India`s maritime position, democratic stability, and naval capabilities are playing a bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the Global South, effectively accelerating development, security, and the environment. India`s maritime history is very old. Historical evidence of India`s maritime history dates back 5,000 years. When you look at the exhibition here, you will see traces of exports from the Lothal port to Egypt. We have historical evidence of this entire trade, and today, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India stands ready to create new maritime history," Shah said during the event

Shah asserted that this summit will brainstorm ideas to transform the Gateway of India, which Mumbai is known as, into the Gateway of the World

"The place where the summit is being held today is Mumbai, where the world-famous Gateway of India is located. This moment is India`s maritime moment. This summit will brainstorm ideas to transform the Gateway of India into the Gateway of the World. Over the past decade, the Maritime Summit has proven that, based on the profound structural reforms we`ve undertaken in the maritime economy, India has emerged as a powerful emerging power and stands tall on the global maritime map," Union Minister said

Shah emphasised India`s maritime strength and strategic location, inviting global investors to tap into the sector`s vast potential

He also highlighted that India`s coastline is about 11,000 km with 13 coastal states and Union Territories, and maritime business are contributing around 60 per cent to the country`s GDP