India, Japan agree to strengthen maritime relations

India and Japan discussed ways to deepen maritime ties between the two countries, including investment by Japanese shipyards, collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives, increase in R&D cooperation, upskilling human resources, and employment of Indian seafarers in Japan among others.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister for International Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism of Japan Terada Yoshimichi in Oslo on Monday.

The two leaders discussed using sustainable technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity to enable Andaman Nicobar islands and Lakswadeep islands to be converted into smart islands.

The meeting also discussed the increasing partnership between Indian and Japanese shipyards including Greenfield investment such as Imabari Shipbuilding in Andhra Pradesh and others.

“Japan’s expertise in shipbuilding and ship repair is well recognised, and I see great scope for collaboration in this area. We also invite Japan’s Big Three maritime companies—NYK Line, MOL, and K Line—to explore joint ventures and investment opportunities in India’s growing maritime sector," Sonowal said.

Highlighting the need to deepen bilateral ties in maritime training and development, as well as cooperation in research and development, both sides agreed to further strengthen collaboration in the maritime sector, especially on sustainable maritime technologies and next-generation ship design.

Maritime