India Strengthens Maritime Partnerships at Sagarmanthan 2026
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal marked the second day of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026 by engaging in pivotal bilateral meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Bhutan. The meetings underscored India’s commitment to expanding its maritime partnerships, not only across the Gulf and Europe but also with neighboring countries, putting a spotlight on youth and women in India’s maritime initiatives.
In a discussion with delegates from the Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, Minister Sonowal explored avenues for Saudi investment in key Indian port projects, including Vadhavan and Galathea Bay. The talks also covered shipbuilding cooperation, seafarer training programs, and the importance of building resilient supply chains. Saudi Arabia expressed interest in contributing to India’s Maritime Development Fund (MDF).
In a separate meeting with Annick De Ridder, Flemish Minister for Mobility, Public Works, Ports and Sport, Sonowal proposed the development of a green shipping corridor that would connect Indian ports to Antwerp-Bruges. The focus of this dialogue included green fuels, smart port technologies, and dredging initiatives. Additionally, the VOC Port has formalized an agreement with the Port of Antwerp for capacity-building training in green shipping and fuel.
Discussions with Bhutanese Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung, centered on National Waterway-2 and the Jogighopa terminal, which could serve as Bhutan’s gateway to international trade. The two ministers also talked about utilizing the Manas and Sankosh rivers to improve cargo movement through national waterways, along with plans for maritime training for Bhutanese youth at the Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh.
“Our discussions with Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Bhutan illustrate India’s expanding maritime partnerships across different regions,” stated Sonowal. He highlighted the proactive approach in working with Saudi Arabia on ports and shipbuilding, pursuing a greener shipping corridor with Belgium, and opening trade pathways for Bhutan through the Brahmaputra River. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India aspires to be a trusted partner for a sustainable maritime future.
Day two of the conference also highlighted the voices of young Indians and women in the maritime sector, emphasizing their aspirations and contributions. Among the participants was an all-women tri-service sailing expedition that served as an inspiration for female cadets in attendance.
India has witnessed a notable increase in the number of trained seafarers, growing from 127,000 to 323,000 within the last twelve years, solidifying its position as the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers. The active participation of women in the maritime workforce has also surged, climbing from 1,599 in 2021 to 7,033 in 2025, spurred by initiatives like Sagar Mein Samman. The government aims to grow this representation to 20% by 2030.
Additionally, Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for MoPSW, engaged with representatives from Greece, Lithuania, Mozambique, and Myanmar, aiming to further strengthen India’s maritime ties. He noted the success of Sagarmanthan, which expanded from over 1,700 delegates in 2024 from 61 countries to participation from more than 70 nations this year, including ten ministers, thus reinforcing India’s role as a leader in global maritime discourse.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
