India re-elected to the Council of International Maritime Organisation for the biennium 2026-27 with highest tally

India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), London, in Category B of 10 members comprising of countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. India secured the highest number of votes in this category, receiving 154 out of 169 valid votes casted during the election.
The Council elections were held during the 34th session of IMO Assembly at London by secret ballot on Friday, 28.11.25. The term of Council will be for the biennium 2026-27.

India secured the large scale support of the international community at the International Maritime Organisation for India to continue to serve the global maritime domain.

India’s re-election, with the highest tally is testimony of leadership ōf Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision for strengthening of maritime sector in India. This victory by the highest margin underscores the acknowledgement of India’s growing influence in world maritime affairs and its role in shaping the future of maritime affairs in the world. It is a validation of the policy initiatives of Government of India for the development of maritime sector in the Country. It comes close to the successful Indian Maritime Week held in October which was graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister where more than 100 countries participated.

IMO Council is a body of three different categories having 40 elected members out of 176 Member countries of IMO. The Council performs functions between sessions of the Assembly.

On the sidelines of the 34^th Assembly of the IMO various meetings were also held by the Indian delegation with various country delegations, international organisations and IMO official on areas of mutual interest.

It is a major achievement for India to be elected with the highest number of votes for the second successive biennial in the IMO underlining India’s commitment to the Amrit Kal Maritime Vision, 2047 as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and led from the front by the Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarabnanda Sonowal and the Hon’ble Minister of State, Shri Shantanu Thakur.

India is globally positioned to lead in the Maritime sector spearheading in sustainable, safe, secure and smart Shipping and growth in the entire Maritime domain.