Sri Vijaya Puram, June 4: India and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening maritime cooperation during a bilateral meeting between Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Japan’s Vice Minister for International Affairs, Terada Yoshimichi of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), held in Oslo.
The talks covered a wide range of collaborative opportunities, including Japanese investment in Indian shipyards, development of smart and green ports, digital transformation of port infrastructure, maritime research and development, and skilling and employment of Indian seafarers.
A major focus of the meeting was the proposal to transform the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands into Smart Islands. Both sides explored using disaster-resilient infrastructure, sustainable technologies, smart mobility systems, and digital connectivity to drive this transformation. Sonowal acknowledged Japan’s expertise in island development and invited cooperation in deploying renewable energy and digital solutions aimed at ecological preservation and maritime security.
India emphasised its interest in enhancing partnerships with leading Japanese shipbuilders, including Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Discussions also included potential greenfield investments such as the proposed Imabari Shipbuilding facility in Andhra Pradesh. Japanese shipping majors NYK Line, MOL, and K Line were also invited to explore joint ventures and long-term investments in India’s maritime sector.
“Japan’s leadership in shipbuilding, ship repair, and maritime innovation is well recognised globally. Strengthening this partnership will contribute to the resilience and sustainability of India’s growing maritime logistics ecosystem,” said Sonowal.
Vice Minister Terada noted Japan’s increasing interest in maritime engagement with India, beyond existing collaborations in railway infrastructure. Mutual interest in seafarer training and skill development was discussed positively, along with a proposal to establish structured programmes for upskilling Indian maritime professionals.
India proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate joint efforts between Japanese agencies and Indian stakeholders, including Cochin Shipyard Limited, public institutions, and universities. Enhanced R&D cooperation on sustainable maritime technologies and advanced ship design also featured prominently in the discussions.
Highlighting India’s maritime workforce strength, Sonowal said over 154,000 trained Indian seafarers could support and supplement Japan’s maritime labour needs. Japan was encouraged to play a larger role in training, skilling, and employing Indian personnel through collaborative initiatives.
India also sought Japanese participation in developing the National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal, Gujarat. The project aims to preserve India’s maritime legacy while serving as a global tourism, education, and research center. The two sides expressed optimism about formalising cooperation on this initiative.
Japan was invited to take part in the upcoming India Maritime Week 2025, to be held in Mumbai. The event is expected to bring together international stakeholders to explore investment, innovation, and policy opportunities in the maritime sector.
Following the meeting, Sonowal stated that the discussions had laid a strong foundation for elevating maritime cooperation between India and Japan. Citing shared values of democracy, freedom, and cultural ties, he reiterated India’s commitment to achieving the joint investment target of five trillion yen (₹3.2 lakh crore) by 2027.
The meeting was attended by Japanese officials, including Onishi Yasushi and Hioki Miki from MLIT’s Maritime Bureau, Ihara Takumar from the Embassy of Japan in Norway, and Kimura Hiroko. The Indian delegation included Ambassador Acquino Vimal, senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Cochin Shipyard Limited.
