Pratik Bijlani –
India’s logistics sector finds itself at an inflection point. As global supply chains are redrawn by geopolitical tensions, digital transformation and shifting trade corridors, the country’s ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047 increasingly rests on how efficiently goods move across its ports, borders and transport networks. Against this backdrop, the Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers’ Association (BCBA) brought together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders for the second edition of the India Logistics Conclave 2026, transforming Mumbai’s Historic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel into a forum where the future of Indian logistics was debated—not in theory, but through practical dialogue between those shaping policy and those implementing it every day.
Held under the theme “One Fraternity, One Vision – Logistics Driving India Towards Viksit Bharat,” the conclave attracted more than 550 delegates representing customs, shipping, ports, airports, logistics, manufacturing and international trade. For an industry that often operates quietly behind the movement of global commerce, the gathering reflected a growing acknowledgement that customs brokers and logistics professionals have become strategic enablers of India’s economic ambitions.
Opening the conclave, BCBA Senior Vice President Mr. Paresh Thakkar described the gathering as a reflection of how far the customs broking profession has evolved. He noted that bringing together the highest levels of government and industry under one roof demonstrated that customs brokers had become an integral part of India’s trade architecture. “To see this fraternity stand shoulder to shoulder with the highest offices of government and industry, under one roof and one vision, has been deeply humbling”, he said, adding that the conclave had become “a platform where the customs broker’s voice is heard, respected and woven into the national agenda.”
That sense of partnership was reinforced from the outset by Mr. Vivek Chaturvedi, Chairman of CBIC, who addressed delegates virtually. Acknowledging BCBA’s historic contribution as India’s oldest customs brokers’ association, he outlined Customs’ continuing transition towards a trust-based, digitally integrated administration. Artificial intelligence, blockchain-enabled documentation, intelligent risk management and green customs, he noted, will define the next phase of India’s border management, requiring customs brokers to evolve from compliance facilitators into trusted trade advisors.
BCBA President, Mr. Sanjeev Harale positioned the conclave as more than an annual industry gathering, describing it as a platform designed to shape India’s logistics future rather than simply respond to change. Reflecting on the scale of participation, he remarked, “This Conclave reaffirmed that the customs broker and freight forwarder are not mere facilitators, but true partners in India’s growth story.” The participation of more than 550 delegates and senior policymakers, he said, demonstrated “the strength of our fraternity and our shared resolve to drive India towards Viksit Bharat.”
The breadth of representation reflected the increasingly integrated nature of India’s logistics ecosystem. Senior government officials, including Mr. Yogendra Garg, Member (Customs), CBIC; Mr. Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary (Customs); Mr. Sushil Mansing Khopde, Additional Director General of Shipping; and Mr. Sunil Jain, Director General of Valuation, shared the stage with industry leaders such as Capt. BVJK Sharma of Navi Mumbai International Airport, Capt. Deepak Tiwari of MSC India, Mr. Om Hisaria of Reliance Industries and Mr. Mukesh Oza of Samsara Group. Their collective message was clear: logistics has moved beyond being a supporting function to becoming critical national infrastructure.
Capt. BVJK Sharma outlined how the phased commissioning of Navi Mumbai International Airport and its multimodal connectivity will reshape western India’s cargo landscape, while Capt. Deepak Tiwari pointed to geopolitical instability as a reminder that resilient supply chains and robust risk management have become indispensable for international trade.
Drawing on nearly five decades of industry experience, Mr. Mukesh Oza described customs brokers as the often-unseen force binding together India’s complex logistics chain, while Mr. Om Hisaria highlighted the growing importance of logistics resilience in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical disruption and evolving trade patterns.
Speaking on India’s maritime reforms, Mr. Sushil Mansing Khopde, Additional Director General of Shipping, described customs brokers as an indispensable link in the country’s logistics ecosystem, balancing regulatory compliance with trade facilitation. “A smooth supply chain is like the bloodstream of an economy”, he remarked, adding that customs brokers ensure trade flows efficiently while strengthening India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. He also outlined several initiatives underway at the Directorate General of Shipping, including the Maritime Single Window, e-Samudra modules and reforms to multimodal transport legislation.
One of the defining themes throughout the day was that technology alone cannot transform trade unless supported by collaboration. Mr. Yogendra Garg described customs brokers as strategic partners capable of translating policy into operational excellence, urging the profession to embrace artificial intelligence, continuous learning and trusted partnerships as India’s customs administration becomes increasingly automated and data-driven.
Those themes were explored further through four business sessions that formed the intellectual centrepiece of the conclave. Attention then turned outward as panellists examined how the Red Sea crisis, shifting geopolitical alliances, free trade agreements and China Plus One strategies are reshaping international shipping networks and supply-chain design. Discussions highlighted the need for greater route diversification, resilient trade corridors and enhanced maritime connectivity as India positions itself within an increasingly fragmented global trading environment.
The first session, “India 2030, 2035, 2047 – A Roadmap for Viksit Bharat”, explored the long-term transformation of India’s logistics landscape, examining how Gati Shakti, Dedicated Freight Corridors, multimodal integration and green logistics can reduce logistics costs while strengthening the country’s global competitiveness.
The second session, “Building India’s Digital Spine – Customs & Trade”, focused on CBIC’s digital transformation, highlighting the evolution of ICEGATE, the Customs Integrated System, AI-driven risk management, paperless border processes and cybersecurity in a rapidly digitising trade environment.
The third session, “Geopolitics and the New Geometry of Trade – India’s Way Forward”, examined how shifting geopolitical realities, free trade agreements, supply chain diversification, carbon border regulations and emerging trade corridors are reshaping India’s role in global commerce.
The concluding session, “Policy and Infrastructure – Building India’s Futuristic Logistics Ecosystem”, explored the policy frameworks, multimodal infrastructure, digital integration and regulatory reforms required to create a resilient, technology-driven and future-ready logistics ecosystem capable of supporting India’s aspirations for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Moderating the discussion on India’s digital customs ecosystem, Mr. Dushyant Mulani, Immediate Past President of BCBA, observed that customs brokers were increasingly becoming central to India’s EXIM supply chains as digitalisation accelerated. “Custom Brokers are now playing a nodal role in India’s EXIM Logistics; they are the quiet backbone of India’s trade”, he said, arguing that forums such as the India Logistics Conclave finally gave the profession the recognition it deserved. He stressed that meaningful trade facilitation could only be achieved when government and industry “sit at the same table as partners to conceptualise further trade facilitation measures.”
The conclave concluded with a thought-provoking valedictory session featuring Mr. Dhimant Parekh, Founder and CEO of The Better India, alongside Mr. S. Ramakrishna, Past Chairman of FFFAI, who reflected on leadership, innovation and the logistics sector’s broader contribution to nation building.
As delegates concluded a full day of deliberations, one message resonated with clarity: India’s logistics transformation cannot be achieved by government, industry, or technology in isolation. Progress will hinge on a collaborative ecosystem where customs, ports, shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and policymakers work in unison to build faster, greener, and more resilient trade corridors.
For BCBA, the second India Logistics Conclave demonstrated that customs brokers are no longer viewed merely as intermediaries within the supply chain. They are increasingly recognised as trusted partners in shaping India’s maritime and logistics future—and as indispensable contributors to the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
Marex Media