Modi receives Merchant Navy flag to mark start of Merchant Navy Week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with the Merchant Navy Miniature Flag on March 31, 2026, to mark the start of Merchant Navy Week. The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, honored India's seafarers and the nation's maritime heritage. National Maritime Day, observed on April 5, commemorates the 1919 voyage of the SS Loyalty, highlighting the sector's vital role in moving nearly 90% of India's trade by volume.