The 8th Multimodal Logistics Summit – Mundra/Kandla 2026, organised by India Seatrade, will bring together senior representatives from key government institutions, port authorities , rail infrastructure agencies and economic zones to deliberate on strengthening India’s trade gateways, cargo evacuation, hinterland connectivity and export competitiveness.
The summit will feature Mr. Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Deputy Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, as the keynote speaker. Mr. Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, and Mr. Rahul Modi, Member, National Shipping Board, Government of India, will deliver special addresses.
The government and infrastructure sector participation will include Dr. Surender Ahirwar, IRTS, Executive Director – Traffic Commercials, Ministry of Railways, and Mr. Shobhit Bhatnagar, IRTS, Director – Business Development, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL).
Mr. Praveen Kumar Sahukari, Deputy Secretary – Logistics, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, will participate in the session on cargo evacuation and hinterland connectivity, bringing the policy perspective on logistics and trade facilitation.
The economic zone sector will be represented by Ms. Rajtanil Solanki, IRS, Joint Development Commissioner, Kandla Special Economic Zone, who will participate in the session focusing on India’s Free Trade Agreements and their potential to support cargo growth through Mundra and Kandla.
The summit will focus on three key areas: the strategic role of Mundra and Kandla ports in manufacturing and exports; cargo evacuation and integrated multimodal hinterland connectivity; and leveraging India’s Free Trade Agreements to facilitate trade and cargo growth.
The participation of officials and senior representatives from Deendayal Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, National Shipping Board, Ministry of Railways, DFCCIL, DPIIT and Kandla Special Economic Zone is expected to provide a broad government and institutional perspective on the future development of India’s trade and logistics ecosystem.