**Executive Summary**
India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026-27 biennium. The election took place on 28 November 2025 during the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly. India secured the highest number of votes (154 out of 169) in Category B, which comprises countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Election Details:**
* India re-elected to the IMO Council for 2026-27.
* Secured highest vote tally in Category B.
* Election held on 28 November 2025 at the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly.
* **Statements and Support:**
* Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed delight.
* Reaffirms global community’s trust in Prime Minister Modi's vision for a safe and secure maritime domain.
* **Strategic Significance:**
* Reflects international community's confidence in India's constructive leadership.
* Validates Government of India's maritime growth agenda and reforms.
* Reinforces commitment to Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047.
* **IMO Council Composition:**
* Consists of 40 elected members across three categories.
* Functions as the executive body of the IMO between Assembly sessions.
* **Ongoing Efforts:**
* India continues to strengthen its global position in the maritime sector.
* Focus on advancing sustainable, safe, secure, and smart shipping.
* Contributing to the growth of the global maritime ecosystem.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of India**
* **Impact:** Reinforces the success of the maritime growth agenda and validates sustained reforms, strengthens global position in the maritime sector.
* **Action Required:** Continue to advance sustainable, safe, secure and smart shipping and contribute to the growth of the global maritime ecosystem.
**Stakeholder: International Maritime Community**
* **Impact:** Reaffirms confidence in India's leadership and commitment to global shipping.
* **Action Required:** Acknowledge India's role in promoting maritime cooperation and security.
**Stakeholder: Indian Delegation/Officials**
* **Impact:** Showcased success of Maritime Week 2025
* **Action Required:** Continue to engage with international organizations and IMO officials on cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Key Entities Referenced
International Maritime Organization (IMO): The UN body responsible for regulating international shipping.
IMO Council: The executive body of the IMO between sessions of the Assembly.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian ministry responsible for maritime affairs.
Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047: A long-term vision document for India's maritime sector.
India Maritime Week 2025: An event focused on India's maritime industry.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
India Re-elected to the IMO Council for 2026–27
with Highest Vote Tally
प्रव तथ: 28 NOV 2025 8:53PM by PIB Delhi
India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), London, in
Category B, comprising 10 countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. India secured
the highest number of votes in the category, receiving 154 out of 169 valid votes cast during the elections
held on 28 November 2025 at the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly.
Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed his
delight on the achievement, stating:
“A proud moment for India’s maritime sector! India has been re-elected to the IMO Council for the 2026–
27 biennium with the highest tally of votes in the category of countries with the largest interest in
international seaborne trade.
This resounding mandate reaffirms the global community’s trust in Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi ji’s vision for a safe, secure and green maritime domain.”
India’s highest vote tally reflects the international community’s strong confidence in India’s constructive
leadership in global shipping. It also reaffirms the success of India’s maritime growth agenda under the
Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision. The result further validates the Government of India’s sustained reforms
and forward-looking initiatives to strengthen the maritime sector.
The achievement comes soon after the successful organisation of India Maritime Week 2025, inaugurated
by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, which saw participation from over 100 countries.
The IMO Council consists of 40 elected members across three categories and functions as the executive
body of the IMO between sessions of the Assembly. On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Indian
delegation engaged with several countries, international organisations and IMO officials on cooperation in
areas of mutual interest.
This is the second consecutive biennium in which India has secured the highest tally in Category B—
reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, guided by the Hon’ble
Prime Minister and steered by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal along with the Hon’ble Minister of State Shri
Shantanu Thakur.
India continues to strengthen its global position in the maritime sector by advancing sustainable, safe,
secure and smart shipping and contributing to the growth of the global maritime ecosystem.
***
PN
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