Sagarmanthan 2026: 3rd Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi
The third Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue opened in New Delhi, with PM Modi calling in a written message for a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order.

Why in News
On 7 October 2026 the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways released Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to the third Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi, in which he called for a rules-based maritime order.
The third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue opened in New Delhi on Tuesday. The conference is organised jointly by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and it drew policymakers, maritime leaders and experts from many countries.
The Prime Minister's message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the delegates in a written message and asked for a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order that brings greater peace, prosperity and progress to every nation. He said that what happens in one stretch of the sea can be felt far beyond its own shores, which is why dialogue and cooperation on the oceans matter more than ever.
Why the name matters
The word Sagarmanthan means the churning of the ocean. The Prime Minister noted that in Indian tradition that churning is tied to the discovery of new possibilities, and said the oceans hold immense promise for economies, people and the planet alike.
India's maritime record
He traced the country's seafaring past from the ancient port of Lothal to the Chola dynasty and to the naval vision of the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recalling that Indian sailors and traders carried goods, ideas, stories and culture to distant shores. On the present, he said India's major ports have nearly doubled their capacity while turnaround times have fallen sharply, that new-generation maritime laws have given the sector a modern framework, and that Indian seafarers now make up the second largest maritime workforce in the world.
| Event | Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, third edition |
| Organisers | MoPSW and Observer Research Foundation |
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Seafarer workforce | Second largest in the world |
Oceans and responsibility
The Prime Minister said India's bond with the sea is also a matter of responsibility, and that the health of the oceans and of coastal ecosystems is being protected even as the maritime economy is built up. India's maritime vision, he said, rests on cooperation, trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and the oceans must become a source of shared prosperity in which every country has both a voice and an opportunity to grow. Investment in ocean science and exploration is being raised so that the seas are understood better and used responsibly.
Link to Viksit Bharat
The maritime push was tied to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Prime Minister said the journey towards a developed India is also a journey towards a stronger and more capable maritime India, and that the country is preparing for a new era of shipbuilding and green shipping.
Important Facts
| Event | Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue, third edition |
|---|---|
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Organisers | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Observer Research Foundation |
| Message by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Maritime order sought | Free, open, secure and rules-based |
| Meaning of Sagarmanthan | Churning of the ocean |
| Indian seafarers | Second largest maritime workforce in the world |
| Historical references | Lothal port, Chola dynasty, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
| Linked goal | Viksit Bharat by 2047 |
Exam Point of View
Remember the edition (third), the name of the dialogue and its meaning, the two organisers (MoPSW and the Observer Research Foundation), the venue (New Delhi), the four words describing the maritime order sought, the rank of Indian seafarers in the global maritime workforce, the historical references to Lothal, the Cholas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the Viksit Bharat target year.
Practice Questions
The Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue is organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways along with which body?
- A.NITI Aayog
- B.Observer Research Foundation
- C.Indian Council of World Affairs
- D.FICCI
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Observer Research Foundation
Explanation
The correct answer is Observer Research Foundation. The dialogue is a thought leadership conference put together by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways together with the Observer Research Foundation, and its third edition is being held in New Delhi. Policymakers, maritime leaders and experts from around the world were welcomed to it by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a written message. Option A is wrong because NITI Aayog is the government's policy think tank but is not named as a partner for this conference. Option C is wrong because the Indian Council of World Affairs, although a foreign policy institution, has no role here. Option D is wrong because FICCI is an industry chamber and does not co-host the dialogue. Aspirants should link the event firmly to the shipping ministry and the Observer Research Foundation.
Indian seafarers today form which position in the global maritime workforce?
- A.The largest
- B.The second largest
- C.The third largest
- D.The fifth largest
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The second largest
Explanation
The correct answer is the second largest. In his message the Prime Minister said that Indian seafarers now form the second largest maritime workforce in the world, and that young Indians are earning respect across the oceans. The same message added that India's major ports have nearly doubled their capacity while turnaround times have come down significantly, and that new-generation maritime laws have been brought in to give the sector a modern framework. Option A is wrong because the message claims the second place, not the first. Option C and Option D are wrong for the same reason: no third or fifth rank is stated anywhere in the message. This is a figure worth memorising together with the near doubling of major port capacity, since both are standard facts in questions on India's maritime sector.
Which ancient port city did the Prime Minister name while tracing India's seafaring history?
- A.Lothal
- B.Dholavira
- C.Muziris
- D.Tamralipti
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Lothal
Explanation
The correct answer is Lothal. The Prime Minister traced India's relationship with the sea from the ancient port city of Lothal to the Chola dynasty and then to the naval vision of the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recalling that Indian sailors and traders carried goods, ideas, stories and culture to distant lands. Option B is wrong because Dholavira, though a well known Harappan site, is not the city named in this message. Option C is wrong because Muziris, an ancient trading port on the western coast, does not appear here. Option D is wrong because Tamralipti, an early port on the eastern coast, is likewise absent. For the examination, remember the three historical anchors used together in the message, namely Lothal, the Cholas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the present day goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who organises the Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways along with the Observer Research Foundation. The third edition is being held in New Delhi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a written message to it.
What kind of maritime order did the Prime Minister call for?
A free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order that brings greater peace, prosperity and progress for all nations. He also said the oceans must become a source of shared prosperity in which every country has a voice.
What does the word Sagarmanthan mean?
It means the churning of the ocean. In Indian tradition that churning is associated with the discovery of new possibilities, which is why the name was chosen for the dialogue.
Sources
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2320335 (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
Current Affairs 7 October 2026
- Pre-COP31 in Fiji: Bhupender Yadav Leads Indian DelegationEnvironment
- Additive Manufacturing: MeitY's NSAM Moves to NSAM 2.0 PhaseScience & Technology
- TRAI Drive Test Grades Mobile Networks in Balasore CityReports & Indices
- Fleet Support Ship FSS-1 Launched at Hindustan ShipyardDefence
- 153rd IPU Assembly: Harivansh Leads India in ArushaInternational
- Piyush Goyal Meets Top US Firms in New York on InvestmentEconomy
- MoSPI Releases Environmental Accounts Strategy for 2026-2030Reports & Indices
- Textiles Ministry Wraps Up Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 DriveGovernment Schemes
Related Current Affairs
- Summits & Conferences
ESTIC 2026 Ocean Sciences Curtain Raiser Held at Kochi
6 October 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
India Chem 2026 Theme Advantage Bharat, 14th Edition in Mumbai
5 October 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
Gadkari Opens Chintan Shivir 2026 on Highway Infrastructure
5 October 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
MoRTH to Hold Chintan Shivir 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
4 October 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
Vice-President Opens 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in Delhi
3 October 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
Goyal at G20 Trade Ministers Meeting in Milwaukee, US
2 October 2026 · 2 min read
Related GK
- Arunachal Pradesh GK: Tawang, Tribes, Rivers and Exam Facts
7 October 2026 · Indian States & UTs
- Geographical Epithets of the World: Nicknames of Places
7 October 2026 · Static GK
- Cyber Security and Digital Public Infrastructure: Notes
7 October 2026 · Science & Technology
Take the Quiz
- Current Affairs Quiz
Defence Current Affairs Quiz: 7 October 2026
16 questions16 minutesStart Quiz





