Nations' Security and Prosperity Intimately Connected to Oceans: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that security and prosperity of nations is intimately connected to oceans and government has taken several transformative steps to bolster India's maritime capabilities.

In his message sent from Camp Office in Nigeria, Modi called for success of 'Sagarmanthan, Ocean’s Dialogue', being held at national capital to build consensus for partnerships of a prosperous future of humanity.

"Today, security and prosperity of nations is intimately connected to oceans.

"Recognising potential of oceans, several transformative steps have been taken to bolster India's maritime capabilities," he said.

Sagarmanthan, South Asia's largest maritime thought leership forum, began on Monday.

"Over last dece, guided by vision of 'Ports of Prosperity', 'Ports for Progress' and 'Ports for Productivity', we have doubled capacity of our ports," he said.

"By enhancing port efficiency, reducing turnaround times and strengning last-mile connectivity through expressways, railways and riverine networks, we have transformed India's shoreline," prime minister ded.

Highlighting India's rich maritime legacy and steps to build sector, Modi said India's maritime trition goes back several millennia and is among richest in world.

While noting that thriving port cities of Lothal and Dholavira, fleets of Chola dynasty, exploits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are great inspirations, he said, oceans are a shared heritage for nations and societies, as well as lifeline for international tre.

Modi said: "Our vision for a free, open and secure maritime network -- be it Indian Ocean or Indo Pacific region -- is finding resonance across world." He said 'Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative' envisions marine resources as a key pillar for growth for nations.

According to him, this dialogue on oceans furr strengns rules-based world order and enhance peace, trust and friendship between nations.