SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institutions: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways | Directorate General of Shipping
India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Category B, securing the highest number of votes in the category for the second consecutive biennium. India received 154 out of 169 valid ballots cast during the elections held at the 34th IMO Assembly on November 28, 2025. This exceptional mandate from the global community positions India among an elite group of ten major maritime nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. The result is viewed as a powerful affirmation of India’s growing global maritime influence and its commitment to building a safe, secure, efficient, and green maritime domain.
The re-election is considered a milestone in advancing the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, a long-term blueprint aimed at transforming India into a globally competitive maritime hub. India’s success reflects the global fraternity’s faith in its proactive role in promoting maritime safety, sustainability, and decarbonisation initiatives. The Indian delegation used the Assembly to expand bilateral and multilateral partnerships in areas like maritime digitalization, green shipping, and seafarer welfare.
Policy Relevance: India’s prominent re-election to the IMO Council is of high international and institutional relevance, solidifying its position as a key influencer in global rule-making. This mandate provides a platform to accelerate national goals—such as modernizing port logistics and developing resilient supply chains—through international collaboration, directly supporting the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047.
What is the IMO Council Category B? → The IMO Council is the executive organ of the International Maritime Organization, consisting of 40 member states elected by the Assembly. Category B is specifically reserved for the ten countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. Membership in this category allows India to play a key role in global maritime rule-making and policy development, particularly concerning transitions toward sustainability and technology.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will India leverage its influential position in the IMO Council (Category B) to drive global policies that facilitate green financing and technology transfer for decarbonization in its domestic shipping sector?
Follow the full news here: India Scores Highest Votes to be re-elected to IMO Council, Strengthens Global Maritime Role