Shipping minister highlights women’s empowerment, maritime security and regional cooperation at Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi.
Sarbananda Sonowal, India Shipping Minister.
Women’s participation in India’s maritime sector has risen by 340% since 2020, according to India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who described the increase as part of the government’s broader effort to build a more inclusive and future-ready maritime workforce.
Speaking at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sonowal said initiatives aimed at improving gender inclusion and workforce participation are reshaping India’s maritime ecosystem while contributing to wider regional development goals in the Indian Ocean Region.
The minister framed the rise in women’s participation as a key element of India’s “Nari Shakti” vision, which seeks to expand opportunities for women across strategic sectors of the economy.
“Through initiatives like ‘Sagar Mein Samman’, we are advancing dignity, inclusion and leadership opportunities for women in the maritime sector,” Sonowal said. “This transformation is helping shape a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready workforce for the Indian Ocean Region.”
The remarks came during the opening sessions of the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue, a major regional platform hosted by India under its chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for the 2025–27 term.
The event, themed “Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World,” has brought together ministers, diplomats, academics and industry leaders to discuss maritime security, the blue economy, climate resilience and regional cooperation.
Among those attending the event were Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful and Yemen’s Minister of State Waleed Mohammed Al-Qadimi.
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Maritime Workforce Transformation Gains Momentum
India’s maritime sector has undergone rapid expansion in recent years as the government pushes to modernise ports, strengthen coastal infrastructure and position the country as a major global logistics and shipping hub.
Officials say the sharp increase in women’s participation reflects targeted policy efforts to improve training, employment opportunities and workplace inclusion across shipping, ports and maritime services.
Programmes such as “Sagar Mein Samman” are intended to encourage greater representation of women in a sector historically dominated by men.
Sonowal said the government’s approach combines economic growth with social inclusion, arguing that the “human element” must remain central to maritime development strategies.
Industry analysts note that increasing women’s participation is becoming a growing focus globally as maritime nations seek to address workforce shortages, modernise skill development and improve diversity in shipping and logistics industries.
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India Pushes Broader Indian Ocean Strategy
Beyond workforce issues, Sonowal used the forum to reiterate India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region, describing the ocean as a critical global trade and energy corridor.
“The Indian Ocean is not just a geographic space, but a global lifeline,” he said. “Its importance to global energy flows, trade and supply chains calls for stronger cooperation, resilience and inclusivity.”
The minister linked India’s maritime policies to broader strategic frameworks championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the SAGAR doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — and the MAHASAGAR initiative focused on regional maritime cooperation.
India has increasingly sought to strengthen its influence in the Indian Ocean amid intensifying geopolitical competition and growing concerns over maritime security, supply chain resilience and strategic infrastructure.
Sonowal described India as a “net security provider” in the region, citing the country’s role in humanitarian assistance, maritime surveillance, anti-piracy operations and disaster response efforts.
He stressed that maritime challenges such as climate change, illegal trafficking, piracy and disaster management require collective regional action rather than unilateral approaches.
“India remains committed to working with all partners to advance a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region,” Sonowal said.
Indian Ocean Dialogue Highlights Regional Priorities
The Indian Ocean Dialogue, launched in Kochi in 2014, serves as IORA’s flagship Track 1.5 diplomatic platform, bringing together government officials and non-government stakeholders to address regional issues.
The 2026 edition in New Delhi includes dedicated sessions on maritime security, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, blue economy development and women’s empowerment.
India’s chairmanship of IORA is centred on the themes of “Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability,” with women’s economic empowerment identified as a major cross-cutting priority.
The organisation currently includes 23 member states and 12 dialogue partners spanning the Indian Ocean Region, making it one of the world’s most strategically significant multilateral maritime groupings.
Analysts say India’s emphasis on inclusivity and maritime cooperation reflects New Delhi’s broader attempt to position itself as a leading regional power capable of shaping governance and economic development across the Indian Ocean.
The growing focus on workforce inclusion, maritime sustainability and regional security also comes as countries across the Indo-Pacific seek stronger cooperation in response to shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics.
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