top of page

By:

Capt. Naveen S. Singhal and Capt. M. M. Saggi

9 August 2025 at 1:39:34 pm

Vizhinjam’s Big Test

Kerala must ensure fair access at India’s emerging maritime gateway while avoiding the mistake of discouraging the very investment needed to make it a global hub. The proposed investment by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited represents a defining moment for Kerala’s maritime ambitions. The reported acquisition of a 49 percent stake by MSC, valued at around US$1.4 billion and placing the overall valuation of the port at nearly US$2.85 billion,...

Vizhinjam’s Big Test

Kerala must ensure fair access at India’s emerging maritime gateway while avoiding the mistake of discouraging the very investment needed to make it a global hub. The proposed investment by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited represents a defining moment for Kerala’s maritime ambitions. The reported acquisition of a 49 percent stake by MSC, valued at around US$1.4 billion and placing the overall valuation of the port at nearly US$2.85 billion, could transform Vizhinjam from an ambitious infrastructure project into a serious international transshipment hub. For India, this is a strategic opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign transshipment centres such as Colombo, Singapore and Jebel Ali, through which a substantial share of India’s container traffic currently moves. A successful Vizhinjam would mark a shift in India’s maritime geography, allowing the country to capture greater value from its own trade flows rather than outsourcing that advantage to competing regional hubs. Global Connectivity MSC’s proposed entry brings precisely the ingredient that many ports struggle to acquire: guaranteed global connectivity. The success of a modern port depends on whether major shipping lines trust it enough to make regular calls and integrate it into their global networks. As the world’s largest container shipping company, MSC brings enormous commercial strength to Vizhinjam. Its global vessel network, cargo aggregation capabilities and experience in operating terminals across multiple jurisdictions can accelerate the port’s journey towards becoming a major transshipment centre. Without regular vessel calls and cargo volumes, even the most advanced port can remain underutilised. For Adani Ports, the partnership offers equally significant advantages. A global shipping partner can reduce market risks, improve terminal utilisation and provide operational expertise. The Vizhinjam arrangement would become the third partnership between Adani and MSC after their collaborations at Mundra and Ennore. Such partnerships indicate a broader strategy of integrating Indian ports into international shipping ecosystems rather than treating them as isolated domestic infrastructure projects. The timing is particularly important. Disruptions in global maritime routes, including challenges affecting operations around the Gulf region, have highlighted the importance of diversified and strategically located transshipment facilities. Vizhinjam’s location on the international shipping route gives it a natural advantage that few Indian ports possess. However, the concerns raised by the Kerala Government cannot simply be dismissed. Vizhinjam is not a purely private venture. It is a public-private partnership involving the state government, and the concession agreement reportedly requires government approval for significant changes in ownership structure. More importantly, the agreement mandates that the port function as a common-user facility with non-discriminatory access. Maintaining Confidence This principle is essential for maintaining confidence among global shipping lines. Companies such as CMA CGM, Maersk, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd and Evergreen must have assurance that Vizhinjam will remain an open and neutral facility rather than becoming effectively controlled by a single shipping company’s interest. Yet neutrality does not necessarily mean preventing strategic partnerships. Across the world, successful ports often operate through collaborations between terminal operators, shipping companies and logistics firms. The critical question is not whether MSC has a stake in the port, but whether all users receive equal treatment. A professionally managed port should ensure that berth allocation, yard access, tariffs, feeder connectivity, operational scheduling and terminal services are based on transparent commercial principles rather than ownership relationships. If those safeguards are firmly established, MSC’s participation can strengthen Vizhinjam rather than weaken competition. Kerala has much to gain from the port’s success. A thriving Vizhinjam can create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while encouraging the growth of logistics parks, warehousing facilities, ship repair services, bunkering operations, customs-related businesses and marine industries. It can become a foundation for Kerala’s participation in India’s broader maritime ambitions and the emerging blue economy. The challenge is to create a regulatory framework that preserves neutrality while attracting the capital and expertise required to compete globally. Adani has built the physical foundation of a world-class Indian transshipment port. MSC can provide the international cargo network required to make that infrastructure commercially successful. Kerala’s task is to ensure that Vizhinjam remains open, efficient and trusted by all. For Vizhinjam to succeed, Kerala must safeguard neutrality, but not by blocking the very investment that can place it on the world maritime map. (Capt. Naveen Singhal is Marine Consultant and Member of the Singapore Shipping Association and Capt. MM Saggi is former Nautical Advisor, Government of India. Views personal.)

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana's extradition

  • PTI
  • Feb 14, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Tahawwur Rana

Washington: India is working on the logistics of Tahawwur Rana's surrender and extradition from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said, as President Donald Trump announced that his administration has given the go-ahead to extradite the 26/11 terror attack accused “to face justice".

“This is an issue on which the US authorities have taken very clear decisions. I think you've seen the President announce it himself from the White House podium" the decision of the US to extradite Rana, Misri said at a press conference here on Thursday.


During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India”.


In response to a question by PTI on the timeframe by when Rana will be extradited to India, Misri said: "We are working on the logistics of his surrender and extradition to India. There are a few final steps to be completed. The two sides are in touch on this particular issue.”


The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

“They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in order to prevent heinous acts like the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021," the joint statement said.


“Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved," it said.


The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

"The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,” the joint statement added.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Speaking at the joint press meet, Trump said "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."


The extradition of Rana was cleared by the US Supreme Court in January as it rejected his review petition in the case.


India last month said it was working with American authorities for the early extradition of Rana.


"The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.


In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

-PTI

Comments

bottom of page