Youth and Women Crucial for India's Maritime Future: Sarbananda Sonowal
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal discusses global maritime partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Bhutan at Sagarmanthan 2026.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has emphasized that the future of India's maritime sector lies in the hands of its youth and women. Speaking on the second day of the Sagarmanthan event, the Minister highlighted how global partnerships are expanding across the Gulf, Europe, and the neighborhood to build a connected and green maritime ecosystem.
Expanding Global Footprints: Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Bhutan
During the Great Oceans Dialogue 2026, Sonowal engaged in high-level bilateral meetings to strengthen India's international maritime standing. The discussions focused on diverse strategic interests ranging from infrastructure investment to green technology.
Strategic Ties with Saudi Arabia
In discussions with a delegation from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), the focus remained on large-scale Indian port projects. Key areas of collaboration include:
- Investment: Saudi Arabia expressed interest in investing in Indian port projects, specifically highlighting Vadhavan and Galathea Bay.
- Maritime Development Fund (MDF): Discussions touched upon Saudi participation in this specialized fund.
- Industrial Cooperation: Both nations are exploring synergies in shipbuilding, seafarer training, and the creation of resilient supply chains.
Green Corridors with Belgium
Meeting with Flemish Minister Annick De Ridder, Sonowal proposed the establishment of a green shipping corridor to link Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges. The dialogue centered on:
- Smart port technology and dredging operations.
- The development of green fuels for sustainable shipping.
- A significant agreement signed between VOC Port and the Port of Antwerp for capacity building in green shipping and fuel technology.
Connecting Bhutan to Global Markets
In a move to bolster regional connectivity, Sonowal met with Bhutan's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung. The discussions highlighted the strategic importance of:
- National Waterway-2 and the Jogighopa terminal as vital gateways for Bhutanese trade.
- The potential of the Manas and Sankosh rivers for improved cargo movement.
- Maritime training opportunities for Bhutanese youth at the Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh.
Empowering the Next Generation: Women and Youth
A major highlight of the session was "The Next Maritime Generation and Ocean Changemakers," where Sonowal listened to the aspirations of young Indians and women. The session was notably inspired by the presence of an all-women tri-service sailing expedition.
India's maritime workforce is witnessing a massive transformation:
- Seafarer Growth: Indian seafarers have surged from 1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh in just twelve years, making India the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, commanding over 12% of the global workforce.
- Women in Maritime: The number of active women seafarers has risen from 1,599 in 2021 to 7,033 in 2025. Through the Sagar Mein Samman initiative, India is working toward "Mission 20%" to increase women's participation by 2030.
"India's maritime future will be written by the youth," Sonowal stated. He noted that through structured training—such as the Shipyard–ITI partnerships providing 150 hours of on-the-job training—India is building the skills necessary for young Indians to lead the global maritime economy.
Global Dialogue and Connectivity
The second day of Sagarmanthan also featured critical plenary sessions covering:
- Securing global trade chokepoints.
- The role of the Global South in maritime governance.
- The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in maritime operations.
- Green shipbuilding and BRICS+ connectivity.
On the sidelines, Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur held separate bilateral meetings with representatives from Greece, Lithuania, Mozambique, and Myanmar to further expand India's maritime diplomatic reach.