Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Calls for Maritime Self-Reliance at ‘Sagar Sankalp’ Conclave
Kolkata (March 06, 2026): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 6, 2026 inaugurated Sagar Sankalp – Reclaiming India’s Maritime Glory, a high-level defence and maritime dialogue jointly organised by The Week and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The conclave brought together senior naval leadership, policymakers and industry stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening India’s maritime security architecture and shipbuilding ecosystem.
The inaugural session featured Commodore PR Hari, CMD, GRSE, Shri Baba Kalyani, CMD, Bharat Forge, Shri Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Register of Shipping among other senior naval and industry leaders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri underscored the centrality of maritime power in shaping India’s strategic and economic future. “India’s maritime sector is not just about trade and security; it is about national resurgence. A strong Navy and a robust shipbuilding industry are pillars of a self-reliant India,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s sustained push for Atmanirbharta in defence production, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri said India’s defence reforms are now yielding structural results. “We have moved decisively towards domestic design, development and manufacturing. Today, our shipyards are delivering complex platforms with rising indigenous content, reflecting growing technological confidence.”
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri highlighted, “If we look at the history of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, we will come to the conclusion that its roots date back to the 19th century. It was a time when there were many challenges in front of the country. Even at that time, institutions like GRSE have played pivotal roles. An institution which started as a riverside workshop has today developed into a premier Indian shipyard. “
“GRSE’s expertise lies in building Frigates, Corvettes, Anti-Submarine Warships, and Landing Ships. However, it is important to mention that GRSE has also exported warships and maritime platforms to friendly foreign nations and has thus contributed to strengthening India's defence diplomacy. High indigenisation levels, advanced in-house design capability, and a strong supply chain network with MSMEs has made GRSE a major pillar of maritime transformation in the country”, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri added.
Stressing the importance of maritime preparedness amid shifting global alignments, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri said, “The Indo-Pacific is central to global stability and growth. India, as a responsible maritime nation, must be prepared to safeguard its interests and contribute to regional security. The character of maritime challenges is changing — from conventional threats to cyber and unmanned domains. Our response must be integrated, future-ready and innovation-driven.”
The Raksha Mantri also emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic supply chains and private sector participation. “Self-reliance does not mean isolation. It means building trusted partnerships while ensuring that core capabilities reside within the country. Our defence ecosystem — including MSMEs and start-ups — must become engines of maritime innovation. Maritime strength is not built overnight. It requires policy continuity, industrial depth and national resolve. We are committed to ensuring that India emerges as a leading maritime power in the decades ahead”, he said.
Concluding his address, the Raksha Mantri said, “Our objective is clear — to reclaim India’s maritime glory through capability, confidence and collaboration. The sea has always been a source of strength for India. It is time we harness it fully for our national growth and security.”
While setting the theme of the conclave ‘Sagar Sankalp’, Cmde PR Hari IN (Retd.), CMD, GRSE stated, "India has a very strong maritime legacy, stretching back to the Harappan years, both in maritime trade, as well as in the design and building of seagoing platforms. The Lothal dry dock facility is a testimony to our capability. Also, the seagoing fleets of the Chola Dynasty, Kunjali Marakkar, and Kanhoji Angre, and the shipbuilding facilities that existed in Surat and also along the shores of the Hooghly River ensured that maritime capability was effectively utilised to boost naval power, trade, and diplomacy. We at GRSE pride ourselves to epitomise the success of indigenous warship building. Starting with INS Ajay, India's first indigenous warship built way back in 1961. There was just a 35-metre long seaward defence boat. And today, 65 years later and 115 ships later, a new INS Ajay is being delivered to the Indian Navy this year. And this Ajay is a state-of-the-art advanced weapon and equipment intensive platform and this transition depicts the growth of indigenous warship building. The transformation of the Indian Navy from a ‘Buyers Navy to a Builders Navy’.”
Panel discussions during the conclave focused on aligning naval shipbuilding with emerging geopolitical dynamics, addressing grey-zone threats and distributed maritime operations; building sovereignty at sea through resilient domestic supply chains; expanding shipbuilding scale to meet global trade and energy transition demands; and positioning India as a competitive global destination for shipbuilding and ship repair through progressive port policy, regulatory reform and industrial collaboration.
The conclave concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to translate strategic vision into sustained industrial growth and enhanced maritime capability.
Ministry of Defence, Government of India Defence Production India Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India Rajnath Singh