India is forming a consortium to acquire and develop foreign ports, enhancing its global maritime presence and securing trade routes.
India is establishing a consortium of state-run port ventures—India Ports Global (IPGL), Sagarmala Development Co (SDCL), and Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corp (IPRCL)—to acquire and develop foreign terminals, securing both strategic and commercial interests. According to a report, the initiative will enhance India’s maritime reach and bolster its influence along critical trade routes, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Shipping secretary T.K. Ramachandran explained that the consortium would target potential development opportunities along these routes, connecting India to Russia, Iran, Central Asia, and Europe. IPGL will oversee daily operations, IPRCL will manage infrastructure development, and SDCL will handle financing. The first major project will focus on Mongla, Bangladesh’s second-largest port, which will provide India access to trade from the Northeast region and connect with Nepal and Bhutan.
India has already begun operations at Iran’s Chabahar port and Sitwe port in Myanmar, with talks underway for two additional port development projects in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These initiatives are part of India’s broader strategy to secure key global trade routes and strengthen its maritime capabilities.
