India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council in Category B with the highest number of votes, receiving 154 of the 169 valid ballots cast at the 34th IMO Assembly in London on November 28, 2025.
Category B consists of 10 countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. This marks the second consecutive biennium in which India has topped the vote count in the category.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal called the result an endorsement of India’s maritime policy direction. He said that India’s work on sustainability , maritime safety and decarbonisation has helped strengthen global trust.
India’s expanding role in maritime governance
The re-election follows India Maritime Week 2025, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, which brought together delegates from more than 100 countries.
The event highlighted discussions on investment, technology, port-led development and maritime security.
Officials said India’s continued presence in the Council aligns with the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, a long-term plan to enhance the country’s maritime infrastructure and competitiveness. During the Assembly, the Indian delegation also held bilateral and multilateral meetings with countries and international maritime bodies on safety, digitalisation, green shipping, seafarer welfare and port development.
The IMO Assembly has also elected Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates to Category B.