Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah called US President Trump's 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods "economic blackmail" and blamed PM Modi for prioritising PR over real diplomacy. Backing Rahul Gandhi's stance, he said India’s sovereignty is under attack due to poor strategic handling of international relations.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal speaks in the Rajya Sabha. Pic/PTI
After all the ruckus that has been going on in Parliament, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 has been passed by Parliament. The Bill was approved by the Rajya Sabha amid continued protests by Opposition MPs demanding a discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Moreover, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, while speaking about the Bill, said, “The Bill would reduce the compliance burden for Indian ships in line with the concept of 'ease of doing business', and ensure supply chain security for the country,” as cited by news agency PTI.
News agency PTI also reported that the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 was approved in the Upper House through a voice vote amid protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. The Bill, which had already been approved by the Lok Sabha on 3 April 2025, was pending before the Rajya Sabha.
The Upper House of Parliament was earlier adjourned till 2 pm, soon after it assembled at 11 am, amid protests over the SIR exercise, which is underway in Bihar. When the House reassembled post-lunch, Opposition MPs were once again on their feet, raising slogans against SIR.
The text of the Bill states that it aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to the regulation of coastal shipping, promote coasting trade, encourage domestic participation, and ensure that India is equipped with a coastal fleet owned and operated by citizens of India for national security and commercial needs.
The Coastal Shipping Bill seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within the country's coastal waters. Under the Bill, coastal waters mean the territorial waters of India, along with adjoining maritime zones.
The Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to the regulation of coastal shipping, promote coastal trade and encourage domestic participation. Moreover, the Coastal Shipping Bill will ensure that the country is equipped with a coastal fleet, owned and operated by the citizens of the country for its national security and commercial needs.
Taking into consideration that territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles (about 22 km) from the coast, while adjoining maritime zones extend up to 200 nautical miles (about 370 km), the Bill can be seen as a significant step in regulating trade within the country.
(With inputs from PTI)
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