India Re-Elected to IMO Council for 2026–27 With Highest Vote Tally at London Assembly
India wins re-election to the IMO Council with the highest votes during the 34th Assembly session.
India has been re-elected to the prestigious Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026-27 biennium with the highest number of votes in its category, securing 154 out of 169 valid ballots during the 34th IMO Assembly session held in London on Friday. The resounding victory in Category B—reserved for the 10 nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade—reaffirms India’s growing stature as a global maritime power and ensures its influential voice in shaping international shipping regulations for the next two years.
Competing alongside economic heavyweights like Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands, India not only retained its seat but also emerged with the top vote tally, signalling overwhelming trust from the IMO’s 176 member states. The secret ballot election saw all 40 Council seats filled across three categories, with India’s dominance in Category B highlighting its critical role in global trade routes and its rapidly expanding merchant fleet.
The IMO Council functions as the organization’s executive organ between biennial Assembly meetings, supervising work programs, approving budgets, electing the Secretary-General, and steering policy on maritime safety, environmental standards, and legal frameworks. India’s uninterrupted presence on the Council since 1959—and its consistent re-election with strong mandates—reflects its proactive contribution to global initiatives such as decarbonization of shipping, seafarer welfare, and digitalization of ports.
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On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Indian delegation held high-level bilateral talks with counterparts from Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, pushing for green shipping corridors, alternative marine fuels, and enhanced support for developing nations in meeting the IMO’s ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2050. Officials described the vote tally as “a global endorsement of India’s balanced and inclusive maritime vision.”
The victory aligns with India’s domestic push under the Sagarmala program, the modernization of 12 major ports, and the target of achieving a 5% share in global shipbuilding by 2030. With Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers playing an increasingly vital role in world trade, the re-election strengthens New Delhi’s ability to protect national interests while championing the concerns of the Global South at the IMO table.
As the shipping industry braces for transformative regulations on greenhouse gases, autonomous vessels, and cybersecurity, India’s commanding return to the Council positions it as a key bridge between developed maritime nations and emerging economies, ensuring its priorities—from crew welfare to sustainable trade—remain at the forefront of global maritime governance.
