Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, Sri Nitin Gadkari at the launch of the SAML Forum 2017, in Mumbai, We are committed to South Asia region development

In his inaugural address through video message at the launch of first edition of South Asia Maritime & Logistics Forum (SAMLF) in India, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Govt. of India, Nitin Gadkari appreciated the initiative to create a forum for maritime nations in South Asia, and said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to give highest priority towards development of Ports and inland waterways. It is a great pleasure and pride for me for the last 3 years that all major ports in India are making profit. While the ambitious Sagarmala initiative is giving emphasis on port-based industrialisation, connectivity and modernisation; the inland waterways projects are extended to neighbouring countries Nepal and Bangladesh which will be beneficial for the region’s economy. The Indian government is keen to develop ports in Sri Lanka. Similarly, development of Chabahar Port will provide better connectivity to India and South Asia with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Europe.

Nepal is a key partner for India and development of inland waterways will ease goods movement between the two countries. The biggest challenge for the region is to bring down logistics cost at par with other developed regions like Europe and China. I welcome all stakeholders from South Asia who are keen to invest in India, and together we can frame policy to facilitate investment.”

The Indian shipping minister emphasised that India will stand by neighbouring countries in building
infrastructure and bringing down logistics cost.