20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting

Current Context: The 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting was held in Goa on September 12th and 13th, 2024.

• This meeting was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• The focus was on enhancing India’s maritime sector through infrastructure development, policy reforms, sustainability initiatives, skill development, and international collaboration.
• A significant highlight was the launch of the Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre (IIMDRC) in Mumbai.
• The IIMDRC is part of the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC).
• The IIMDRC aims to provide a specialized platform for resolving maritime disputes, promoting fair and industry-led solutions.
• This initiative strengthens India’s position as a global hub for maritime arbitration.
• These efforts align with the government’s “Resolve in India” initiative, aiming to boost the country’s maritime capabilities and sustainability practices.

Question:

1 Who chaired the 20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting held in Goa on September 12th and 13th, 2024?

• A) Nitin Gadkari
• B) Sarbananda Sonowal
• C) Mansukh Mandaviya
• D) Hardeep Singh Puri

Answer: B) The 20th MSDC meeting was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, who is responsible for overseeing India's maritime sector.