India's Coastlines Will Become Gateways to Nation's Prosperity: PM Modi at 'Samudra se Samriddhi' Programme in Gujarat; Emphasizes 'Chips or Ships, We Must Make Them in India'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated & laid the foundation stone of development works worth over Rs 34,200 crore in Bhavnagar, Gujarat on Saturday. Addressing the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event, the PM Modi welcomed all the dignitaries and the people.
PM Modi highlighted that the nation is celebrating a grand festival of Samudra se Samriddhi in this celebratory atmosphere. He emphasized that 21st-century India views the ocean as a major avenue of opportunity. Modi informed that projects worth thousands of crores have just been inaugurated and foundation stones laid to accelerate port-led development.
PM Modi added that to promote cruise tourism, the International Cruise Terminal in Mumbai has also been inaugurated today. The Prime Minister noted that development projects linked to Bhavnagar and Gujarat have also commenced and extended his heartfelt wishes to all citizens and the people of Gujarat.
Ships built in India’s coastal states once powered domestic and global trade
PM Modi remarked that India was historically a leading maritime power and one of the world’s largest shipbuilding hubs. Ships built in India’s coastal states once powered domestic and global trade. Even fifty years ago, India used domestically built ships, with over 40 percent of import-export conducted through them. The Prime Minister emphasized that today, 95 percent of India’s trade relies on foreign ships—a dependency that has caused significant loss to the nation.
India pays nearly six lakh crore rupees every year to foreign shipping companies
Presenting some figures before the nation, PM Modi remarked that citizens will be shocked to know that India pays nearly $75 billion —approximately six lakh crore rupees—every year to foreign shipping companies for shipping services. The Prime Minister highlighted that this amount is nearly equivalent to India’s current defence budget.
Whether it is chips or ships, they must be made in India
PM pointed out that this outflow of funds has created millions of jobs abroad. “If India is to become a developed nation by 2047, it must become self-reliant, there is no alternative to self-reliance and that all 140 crore citizens must commit to the same resolve—whether it is chips or ships, they must be made in India”, emphasised the Prime Minister, remarking that with this vision, India’s maritime sector is now moving towards next-generation reforms.
PM announced that from today, all major ports in the country will be freed from multiple documents and fragmented processes. The implementation of ‘One Nation, One Document’ and ‘One Nation, One Port’ Process will simplify trade and commerce.
India has been an expert in building large ships for centuries
Underlining that India has been an expert in building large ships for centuries, the PM remarked that next-generation reforms will help revive this forgotten legacy.
Earlier, in a major boost to the maritime sector, Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects related to the maritime sector worth over Rs 34,200 crore.