India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening maritime cooperation during high-level discussions between Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Terada Yoshimichi in Oslo, Norway. The meeting focused on strengthening shipbuilding partnerships, advancing port digitisation, promoting smart islands, and enhancing maritime training to boost regional security and economic collaboration.
Sonowal emphasized India’s interest in Japanese investments in shipbuilding, citing major companies such as Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as potential partners for Greenfield shipyard projects in Andhra Pradesh and other coastal regions. He also invited Japan’s Big Three maritime firms—NYK Line, MOL, and K Line—to explore joint ventures in India’s rapidly expanding maritime sector, positioning India as a key player in global shipbuilding and port logistics.
India and Japan are jointly exploring sustainable technologies to transform Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep into smart islands, incorporating renewable energy, smart mobility solutions, and resilient infrastructure to advance ecological conservation and regional maritime security. Sonowal highlighted Japan’s expertise in developing island territories, affirming that collaboration will fast-track connectivity and infrastructure deployment across India’s strategic maritime zones.
The ministers discussed co-development of ports and maritime industrial clusters, aiming to establish clean energy hubs that integrate hydrogen, offshore wind, and alternative fuels into India’s coastal infrastructure. Sonowal expressed India’s willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan, ensuring structured cooperation between Cochin Shipyard Limited, Indian universities, and Japanese stakeholders in advanced ship design and maritime training.
Japan has expressed interest in training and employing Indian seafarers, recognizing India’s rich pool of over 154,000 trained maritime professionals capable of supporting Japan’s workforce needs. Sonowal affirmed that India would facilitate structured programs for Japanese maritime companies, allowing Indian engineers and workers to gain specialized training and employment opportunities.
India is developing the National Maritime Heritage Museum in Lothal, Gujarat, showcasing India’s legacy in global maritime trade and navigation. Sonowal extended an invitation for Japan to become a partner in the museum’s development, positioning it as a world-class center for heritage tourism and research.
Sonowal invited Japan to participate in India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled for October 27–31 in Mumbai, a major event aimed at strengthening global investment, innovation, and collaboration in maritime infrastructure.
Following the discussions, Sonowal reiterated that India and Japan share a deep-rooted partnership built on mutual trust, democratic values, and strategic cooperation. He underscored India’s vision to secure five trillion yen (USD 32 billion) in Japanese investments by 2027, positioning maritime collaboration as a critical pillar in bilateral economic growth.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Japan’s Maritime Bureau, and representatives from both governments, marking another milestone in India-Japan maritime relations.
