India's Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Pushes Tech‑Led Maritime Security

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the 2nd National Port Security Conference 2026 in New Delhi, urging a technology‑led overhaul of India’s maritime security architecture. He said the country’s expanding port network and growing role in global trade require resilient, integrated systems to counter cyber attacks, drone incursions, supply‑chain vulnerabilities and other emerging threats.

Sonowal highlighted the forthcoming Bureau of Port Security under the Merchant Shipping Act 2025 as a dedicated framework to strengthen regulatory oversight, standardise security practices and improve coordination among maritime agencies. He also cited digital initiatives such as e‑Samudra, the Maritime Single Window and the One Nation One Port Process, stressing that smart‑port transformation must be matched by robust cyber‑security and risk‑management measures. The conference gathered about 140 senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, state maritime boards and major and non‑major port authorities to discuss these challenges.