India Maritime Heritage Conclave Concludes with Renewed Focus on Maritime Legacy

New Delhi: The two-day India Maritime Heritage Conclave (IMHC) concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in reviving academic focus on India’s rich maritime history. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the event brought together maritime experts and academicians from 11 nations to explore sustainable solutions to global maritime challenges through the lens of India’s ancient naval legacy.

At the valedictory session, Union MinisterSarbananda Sonowal highlighted the neglected yet profound legacy of India’s maritime history. He stated, “India has a rich legacy of maritime history, but it remained overlooked for decades. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are now making an earnest effort to revive this legacy. The IMHC serves as a platform for global experts to collaborate, recite, and repurpose our maritime history to address contemporary challenges sustainably.”

Sonowal also emphasized India’s rise as a global maritime power, underscoring advancements in port logistics, mega-infrastructure, and the nation’s aspiration to become a leading maritime nation by 2030.

Prominent maritime nations, including Greece, Italy, and the UK, joined hands with India to celebrate its 5,000-year-old naval history, tracing ties back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Discussions at the conclave highlighted India’s ancient shipbuilding techniques, prehistoric bead-making, and its historic role as a global connector through oceanic trade.

The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), being developed in Lothal, the site of the world’s first man-made dock, was a focal point of the conclave. IMHC underscored NMHC’s significance as a global symbol of India’s maritime heritage and a beacon for sustainable innovation in the shipping industry.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme, aligning with India’s Net Zero goals. Experts discussed how ancient technologies could inspire sustainable practices in the modern shipping sector. Sonowal remarked, “Our ancient maritime technologies, rooted in sustainability, offer guidance for building a global shipping industry led by India. This vision complements our aspiration to become a major shipbuilding power while contributing to humanity’s shared goals.”

Sonowal concluded by celebrating India’s maritime heritage, stating, “Our seafarers take pride in a legacy that predates the Indus Valley Civilisation, showcasing Bharat as one of the first nations to sail the oceans and connect the world. With the NMHC, we are not just commemorating history but laying a foundation for India’s future as a global maritime leader.”