Pratik Bijlani –
At India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025), the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), hosted a high-level seminar titled “Transnational Connectivity: Shaping Future Strategic Ties.” The seminar brought together global policymakers, maritime leaders, and diplomats to deliberate on the evolving landscape of international trade, maritime corridors, and connectivity in a rapidly changing world order.
With rising geopolitical uncertainty and realignments in global trade routes, the seminar highlighted how connectivity corridors such as the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) and the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) are crucial for strengthening trade resilience, sustainability, and global integration. Anchored by India’s strategic leadership, these corridors are envisioned as catalysts for equitable growth and diversified trade, linking continents through sustainable and secure maritime routes.
The event opened with a special address by Mr. Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Italy, who conveyed his warm regards to the Indian Prime Minister and reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to maritime cooperation with India. He emphasized Italy’s port development strategy under its 16 Port Authorities and called for collective action toward sustainable and secure maritime transport. “Maritime trade remains the backbone of global prosperity,” said Mr. Rixi, underscoring the need for Italy and India to grow in the same direction to shape a secure, efficient, and collaborative maritime future.
This led into the first panel discussion, titled “Transnational Connectivity,” moderated by Vice Admiral (Retd.) Biswajit Dasgupta. The panel featured prominent voices including Amb. Lazar Comanescu (Secretary-General, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization), Mr. Algis Latakas (Director General, Port of Klaipėda, Lithuania), Mr. Sanjay Swarup (CMD, CONCOR), Mr. Deepak Shetty (Former DG Shipping, GoI), and Mr. Pranav Choudhary (CEO, Adani Ports and SEZ).
The discussion delved into how shifting trade dynamics and global tensions are reshaping maritime logistics and supply chains. Speakers stressed the importance of inclusive, technology-enabled, and sustainable connectivity, with reforms such as single-window clearances, data-driven administration, and multimodal transport systems to ensure efficiency and transparency.
Mr. Shetty highlighted the risks of the “weaponization of trade routes” and the debt-dependency of vulnerable ports, calling for a renewed emphasis on sovereignty and sustainability. “Connectivity cannot exist in isolation—it must be inclusive, technology-enabled, and anchored in mutual trust and transparency,” Mr. Shetty remarked, capturing the collective sentiment of the session.
The seminar also featured an address by Mr Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, who lauded India’s progress in advancing regional linkages and fostering maritime inclusivity. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to visionary programs like Sagarmala, which continue to strengthen India’s role as a convenor of global maritime growth and cooperation.
The final panel discussion, “IMEC and EMC – The Future of Global Connectivity,” moderated by Mr. Shetty, featured industry veterans including Mr. Shyam Jagannathan, IAS (DG Shipping), Mr. Sunil Vaswani (Executive Director, CSLA), Mr. S. Ramakrishnan (Executive Chairman, Transworld Group), and Mr. Anil Devli (CEO, INSA). The session explored the strategic and logistical imperatives of India’s maritime corridors, emphasizing energy security, port competitiveness, and digital transformation through initiatives like the Maritime Single Window.
The discussions concluded on an optimistic note — that India stands poised to lead the next era of global connectivity, driving cooperation, innovation, and sustainability across the world’s sea lanes.
Marex Media