PM Modi commissions Vizhinjam seaport; says it will bring economic stability to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Friday, stating that the capacity of this transshipment hub would triple in the coming years, allowing some of the world's largest cargo ships to dock smoothly. In his speech following the commissioning of the Rs 8,686 crore project, he noted that 75 per cent of India’s transshipment operations had previously been carried out at foreign ports, resulting in significant revenue loss for the country. Emphasising that this scenario is now set to change, Modi asserted that Indian money would now serve India, and the funds that once flowed out of the country would instead generate new economic opportunities for Kerala and the people of Vizhinjam. He said ships from Kerala had long carried goods to other nations, establishing it as a vital hub for global commerce. "Today, the Government of India is committed to further strengthening this channel of economic power," the Prime Minister said, adding: "India's coastal states and port cities will become key centres for the growth of a developed India."

Praising the Vizhinjam port, developed by Adani Ports, Modi said people from Gujarat might be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a large port in Kerala, despite hailing from the western Indian state himself. Modi also noted that Kerala Ports Minister V N Vasavan had referred to the Adani Group as a "partner" of the Communist-led state government, describing this as symbolic of the changes taking place in the country. Highlighting the importance of the private sector in advancing India's maritime industry, Modi said that under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, investments worth thousands of crores had been made over the past decade. He stated that this collaboration had not only brought India's ports up to international standards but had also made them future-ready, with private sector involvement driving innovation and increasing efficiency. The PM further emphasised that a port economy thrives when infrastructure and ease of doing business are promoted together. "Over the past 10 years, this has been the blueprint of the Government of India's ports and waterways policy," Modi said.

He added that the Centre had also reformed regulations related to Indian seafarers, delivering significant results. “In 2014, the number of Indian seafarers was below 1.25 lakh. Today, that figure has surged past 3.25 lakh. India now ranks among the top three countries globally in terms of the number of seafarers,” he said. Modi mentioned that India's maritime success had been built on a decade-long vision and effort. "Over the past 10 years, India has doubled the capacity of its ports and expanded its National Waterways eightfold." "Today, two Indian ports rank among the world's top 30, and India's standing on the Logistics Performance Index has improved. The country is now also among the top 20 in global shipbuilding," he said. Modi stated that after bolstering the country's core infrastructure, the focus had now shifted to strengthening India’s strategic position in global trade. In a speech that blended development with political messaging aimed at the opposition INDIA alliance, Modi invoked Adi Shankaracharya's role in awakening the nation's spiritual consciousness -- a nod to his party's emphasis on cultural nationalism. At the same time, Modi reached out to Kerala's significant Christian population by offering condolences over the recent passing of Pope Francis.

Addressing a gathering chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan -- a veteran Communist leader --and Congress Working Committee member and MP Shashi Tharoor, Modi also took a dig at the Congress, saying Tharoor’s presence at the event would give "sleepless nights" to many. His direct reference to Tharoor comes amid internal criticism within the Congress that the MP from Thiruvananthapuram has been "soft" on the BJP, especially following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Tharoor has also drawn criticism from some Congress leaders for praising India’s diplomatic approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict under Modi’s leadership. The Prime Minister referred to Chief Minister Vijayan as a "pillar" of the opposition INDIA alliance. "I would like to say to our Chief Minister: you are a big and strong pillar of the INDI Alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here, and I would like to say that today's event will take away the sleep of many," Modi said. Describing the commissioning of the seaport as a proud moment for Kerala, Chief Minister Vijayan said it marked not just the opening of a port but the gateway to the development prospects of the third millennium. "This is a dream come true for Kerala. The port opens a link for India to the global maritime, trade and logistics map," Vijayan said in his address.

Highlighting the port's key features, Vijayan said this was the first time a state government had taken the lead in building a port. He noted that the Kerala government was contributing Rs 5,370.86 crore of the total Rs 8,686 crore project cost. The Adani Group is investing Rs 2,497 crore, while the central government is providing Rs 818 crore as part of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, boycotted the event, protesting what he said was a delayed invitation to the function.