Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, stressing that India must achieve self-reliance to become a developed nation by 2047.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on September 21, 2025 attended the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through the Ocean) programme in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. During his speech, he underlined the importance of the maritime sector, shipbuilding, port-led development, and India’s path toward self-reliance. The event was also attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Mansukh Mandaviya, and several dignitaries.
PM Modi stated that if India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, self-reliance is the only way forward. “Be it a chip or a ship, we must build it in India,” he emphasized.
Focus on the Shipping Sector
The Prime Minister revealed that India pays nearly $75 billion annually—about ₹6 lakh crore—to foreign shipping companies, an amount almost equal to the country’s defense budget. He said that past Congress governments ignored India’s shipping potential, even though the country was once a global hub for shipbuilding.
He announced that the government has now granted “infrastructure status” to large ships. This move will make it easier for shipbuilding companies to access bank loans, reduce interest rates, and benefit from infrastructure financing schemes. Over ₹70,000 crore will be invested in the shipbuilding sector in the coming years.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Power
PM Modi noted that India has now become one of the world’s top three nations in providing seafarers, with more than 300,000 Indians employed in the global shipping industry.
To boost India’s share in global maritime trade, the government is developing major new ports, including the deep-water container transshipment port in Kerala and the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, which is expected to rank among the world’s top ten ports.
He also announced the construction of the world’s largest maritime museum at Lothal in Gujarat to showcase India’s ancient seafaring heritage.
Push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Calling foreign dependence India’s “biggest enemy,” the Prime Minister urged citizens to prefer indigenous products. “Whatever we buy, let it be made in India. Whatever we sell, let it be made in India,” he said, encouraging shopkeepers to display posters reading: “Proudly say, this is Made in India.”
Gujarat’s Key Role
Highlighting Gujarat’s contribution, PM Modi noted that about 40% of India’s cargo is handled by Gujarat’s ports. He added that the Dedicated Freight Corridor will further improve cargo movement and efficiency, turning India’s coastline into “gateways of prosperity.”
Source: PMO
