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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening maritime security and deepening strategic cooperation with Seychelles during his visit to the island nation for its 50th Independence Day celebrations. The visit also marked five decades of diplomatic ties between India and Seychelles, underscoring the growing importance of their partnership in ensuring stability, connectivity and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean Region.
Describing Seychelles as a “valued maritime partner and a close friend in the Indian Ocean,” Prime Minister Modi highlighted the enduring relationship built on mutual trust, shared democratic values and regional cooperation. His participation in the National Day celebrations reflects India’s continued engagement with Indian Ocean island nations under its vision of promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region.
For the global supply chain and logistics sector, the visit carries strategic significance. The Indian Ocean remains one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors, facilitating the movement of energy supplies, manufactured goods and raw materials between Asia, Africa and Europe. Strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Seychelles contributes to safer sea lanes, enhanced maritime domain awareness and improved disaster response capabilities, all of which are essential for resilient international supply chains.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for Seychelles in areas such as maritime security, capacity building, defence cooperation and sustainable development. The two countries have consistently collaborated on coastal surveillance, maritime infrastructure and regional security initiatives aimed at combating piracy, illegal fishing and other transnational maritime threats.
The partnership also aligns with India’s broader vision of fostering a secure, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Enhanced cooperation with Seychelles is expected to support the development of the “Blue Economy,” encourage sustainable use of marine resources and strengthen regional connectivity for port development and sea-trade.
India has emerged as one of Seychelles’ most reliable development partners, supporting the island nation through infrastructure projects, healthcare initiatives, education, defence cooperation and capacity-building programmes. These efforts have further reinforced bilateral ties while contributing to economic resilience and institutional development.
As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, stronger collaboration between India and strategically located island nations such as Seychelles assumes greater importance. Stable maritime governance and coordinated security frameworks are increasingly critical to safeguarding global shipping routes against emerging risks and ensuring uninterrupted trade flows.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit not only commemorated 50 years of enduring friendship but also reaffirmed India’s long-term commitment to regional maritime security, sustainable economic growth and stronger strategic partnerships. For the logistics and supply chain industry, the evolving India-Seychelles partnership represents a positive step towards enhancing maritime resilience, securing vital trade corridors and supporting the future of global commerce.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Paradip Port Authority (PPA) has constructed the 500-metre-long Atharabanki Bridge at a cost of ₹24.89 crore to strengthen road connectivity and facilitate smoother cargo transportation in the Paradip Port region. The three-lane bridge is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve the movement of commercial vehicles and enhance connectivity between the port and the surrounding road network. The development is particularly significant given that nearly 3,000 trucks move through Paradip Port every day. Three-Lane Bridge to Ease Traffic Congestion: The newly constructed Atharabanki Bridge replaces an ageing two-lane structure that faced capacity constraints amid rising transportation demand. Its expanded configuration is designed to accommodate increased traffic volumes and improve access for trucks and other vehicles involved in port-related operations. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to support more efficient cargo movement, reduce potential delays and improve road access for transport operators, logistics providers and other stakeholders associated with the port. Key Features of the Atharabanki Bridge: The project incorporates several features aimed at improving connectivity and functionality: Project cost: ₹24.89 crore Length: 500 metres Configuration: Three lanes Structural component: 30-metre composite girder Additional facilities: Dedicated footpaths and a pipeline corridor Dedicated pedestrian pathways provide designated space for people on foot, while the pipeline corridor accommodates infrastructure requirements associated with pipelines. Boost to Port Logistics and Regional Connectivity: As a major maritime gateway on India's eastern coast, Paradip Port plays an important role in cargo transportation and trade. Efficient road connectivity is essential to ensuring the smooth movement of goods between port facilities and the wider transportation network. The Atharabanki Bridge is expected to strengthen this vital link by improving traffic flow and supporting the movement of cargo-carrying vehicles. Better connectivity could also help reduce transportation delays, improve logistics efficiency and enhance the reliability of port-related operations. Beyond its immediate benefits for port traffic, the bridge is expected to improve regional accessibility and support economic activity in the Paradip area. Infrastructure Investment to Support Future Growth: The construction of the Atharabanki Bridge highlights the importance of developing supporting infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of ports, trade and logistics. As cargo volumes and road transportation requirements increase, investments in bridges and connectivity corridors are essential to strengthening supply-chain efficiency. By upgrading the existing two-lane crossing to a modern three-lane structure, Paradip Port Authority has taken a step towards improving the port's supporting infrastructure. The project is expected to contribute to smoother cargo movement, stronger regional connectivity and improved efficiency across India's maritime logistics network.
Assam has marked a significant milestone in India’s inland waterways and Northeast logistics landscape, with the first international cargo consignment from Upper Assam to a foreign port since Independence departing from the Bogibeel Terminal in Dibrugarh for Bangladesh. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel DLB Patkai, pushed by the tug Kushal Konwar, carrying 540 metric tonnes of methanol produced by Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APCL) at Namrup. The consignment is bound for Pangaon Port in Dhaka, Bangladesh, marking the revival of Dibrugarh’s international river trade after nearly seven decades. The cargo will travel approximately 768 km along the Brahmaputra, designated as National Waterway-2 (NW-2), before entering the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) for onward movement to Bangladesh. The overall journey from Bogibeel to Narayanganj is expected to cover around 1,300 km. The landmark movement is being viewed as a test of the Brahmaputra’s potential as a commercially viable freight corridor connecting the Northeast with international markets. The reopening of this route could provide industries in Assam and neighbouring states with an alternative to road-based transportation, while improving access to Bangladesh and other regional markets. The development has been enabled by infrastructure upgrades at Bogibeel and the establishment of customs and immigration facilities at Bogibeel and Dhubri. The Bogibeel passenger and cargo terminal, which became operational in 2024, is expected to play an important role in supporting future cargo movements. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the initiative is expected to reduce logistics costs, ease pressure on road networks and strengthen regional economic connectivity. Regular methanol shipments to Bangladesh are also planned, indicating that the maiden voyage could evolve into a sustained trade service rather than remain a one-off movement. The revival also reconnects Dibrugarh with its historic role as a river-trade centre. Regular river cargo operations from the town declined after the mid-20th century as trade patterns shifted towards rail and other modes. The latest shipment represents a renewed effort to leverage the Brahmaputra for modern freight movement. Sonowal has also announced a ₹200-crore skill development centre at Bogibeel, expected to train around 50,000 young people from Assam and the Northeast over the next decade for opportunities in the maritime and shipping sectors. A With cargo movement on India’s national waterways rising substantially in recent years, the Dibrugarh-Dhaka shipment adds another dimension to the country’s multimodal logistics strategy. It could strengthen the Northeast’s position as a gateway to eastern and international markets while promoting inland waterways as a cost-efficient and lower-emission freight option. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India’s first maritime-focused lender, is set to launch the country’s maiden blue bond issue on September 28, 2026, marking a significant step towards creating dedicated financing avenues for maritime and coastal infrastructure. The lender plans to raise ₹600 crore through 10-year bonds, including a ₹500-crore greenshoe option, according to a provisional term sheet. The proceeds will be directed towards lending to the maritime sector, financing greenfield port projects and supporting coastal road networks, among other related infrastructure initiatives. SMFCL Managing Director L.V.S. Sudhakar Babu said the funds are expected to be utilised during the current financial year. Blue bonds are debt instruments designed to mobilise capital for sustainable water and marine-related projects. Such financing can support areas including clean water, recycling, sustainable shipping and fishing, ocean energy, marine mapping and other projects linked to the sustainable use of marine resources. The proposed issue has received an AA+ credit rating from ICRA and CARE, while SBI Capital Markets has been appointed as the arranger. SMFCL is also engaging large insurance companies and provident fund institutions as potential investors. The lender plans to invite coupon and commitment bids as part of the issue process. SMFCL was inaugurated in June 2025 as India’s first Non-Banking Financial Company focused on the maritime sector. The institution was established to help address financing gaps across ports, shipping, maritime infrastructure, MSMEs and startups. Its board has approved an overall borrowing limit of ₹25,000 crore, with ₹8,000 crore earmarked for its first financial year of operations. The proposed blue bond also comes as other Indian institutions explore similar financing mechanisms. Vadodara Municipal Corporation is separately planning to raise around ₹200 crore through a blue bond issue, highlighting the emerging interest in thematic financing for sustainable water and maritime-related infrastructure. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
