India proposes maritime transport pact with Panama

Talks target shipping links and port development across the Americas.

India and Panama are seeking to deepen maritime cooperation, with India proposing to expedite discussions on a bilateral agreement covering maritime transportation and port development.

The proposal was made during talks between India's Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal and Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez.

Both sides identified logistics, shipping, maritime security, skill development, and digital transformation as key areas for cooperation.

Martínez-Acha outlined four priority areas, namely maritime security, technical collaboration between India's Directorate General of Shipping and the Panama Maritime Authority, maritime education and skilling, and digital maritime transformation.

This includes artificial intelligence, smart port logistics, and maritime single-window systems, MoPSW said.

Sonowal also proposed expanding cooperation in green ship recycling, seafarer welfare, and skill development, as well as port modernisation, warehousing, digital innovation, and maritime infrastructure.

He described Panama as India's gateway to Central America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, highlighting the need to improve shipping connectivity, deepen logistics partnerships, and strengthen institutional cooperation.

The discussions build on the long-standing maritime relationship between India and Panama, which dates back to the 19th century.

Both sides said closer collaboration and the exchange of best practices could create opportunities for trade, connectivity, and investment across the Americas.