Sagarmanthen 2026: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Emphasizes Global Partnerships and Youth Role for Maritime Future

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal conducted bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Bhutan on the second day of 'Sagarmanthen: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026'. The primary objective of these discussions was to strengthen port investments, green shipping, and regional connectivity. Minister Sonowal asserted that India's maritime future will be written by its youth, placing women and young professionals at the center of this journey.

During discussions with Saudi Arabia, a delegation from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) expressed interest in Indian port projects such as Vadhvan and Galathia Bay. Both parties explored cooperation in shipbuilding, seafarer training, and supply chains. Meanwhile, Sonowal discussed a proposal for a green shipping corridor connecting Indian ports to Antwerp-Bruges with Belgian Minister Anic De Ridder. In this context, VOC Port has entered into an agreement with the Port of Antwerp for capacity building in green shipping and fuels.

In a meeting with Bhutan's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung, National Waterway-2 and the Jogighopa Terminal were identified as the gateway for Bhutan's global trade. The two nations discussed connectivity via the Manas and Sankosh rivers, as well as maritime training for Bhutanese youth at the Center of Excellence in Dibrugarh.

Addressing demographic shifts in the maritime sector, Sonowal noted that the number of Indian seafarers has increased from 1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh over the last 12 years, making India the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers. Through the 'Samman Sagar' initiative, the number of active female seafarers rose from 1,599 in 2021 to 7,033 in 2025, with a target to increase this to 20% via Mission 2030.

Additionally, Minister of State Shantanu Thakur held bilateral talks with Greece, Lithuania, Mozambique, and Myanmar. He proposed an action plan for a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the Port of Klaipėda with Lithuania, and discussed the next phase of the Sittwe Port and maritime security with Myanmar.

Data shared during a press conference revealed that over the last 12 years, port capacity has grown from 1,561 million tonnes per year to 2,817 million tonnes. Cargo throughput increased from 1,052 million tonnes to 1,668 million tonnes, and cargo movement via inland waterways rose from 29 million tonnes to 218 million tonnes. Furthermore, the average turnaround time for container ships has been reduced from 35 hours to 23 hours.