India, Panama strengthen maritime partnership on logistics
The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in shipping, ports, maritime security, digital transformation, skilling and infrastructure to boost trade.
L to R: Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Panama and Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India
India and Panama have agreed to strengthen their maritime partnership by expanding cooperation in logistics, shipping, maritime security, skill development and digital transformation. The agreement was discussed during bilateral talks between Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez.
Both sides identified logistics, shipping, maritime security, skilling and digital transformation as the key pillars of their expanded strategic partnership. Panama was recognised as a strategic gateway to Latin America, while India highlighted its interest in strengthening cooperation in shipping, ports and maritime infrastructure.
Sonowal said India and Panama are natural maritime partners and that combining Panama's logistics strengths with India's growing maritime capabilities could help build resilient supply chains, improve global connectivity and create new opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and sustainable growth. He added that the partnership could become a key pillar of India's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean.
The discussions also reaffirmed the long-standing maritime relationship between the two countries, dating back to the 19th century, and recognised the contribution of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral ties. Both countries agreed that closer collaboration and the exchange of best practices could create new opportunities for trade, connectivity and investment across the Americas.
During the meeting, Vásquez identified four priority areas for future cooperation: maritime security, technical collaboration between India's Directorate General of Shipping and the Panama Maritime Authority, maritime education and skill development, and digital maritime transformation, including artificial intelligence, smart port logistics and maritime single-window systems.
Sonowal highlighted India's investments in ports, shipping, inland waterways, logistics, shipbuilding, cruise tourism and green maritime initiatives. He said Panama serves as India's natural gateway to Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and stressed the need to improve shipping connectivity, strengthen logistics partnerships and accelerate institutional cooperation to expand bilateral trade.
He also proposed speeding up discussions on a bilateral agreement covering maritime transportation and port development. Other areas suggested for cooperation included green ship recycling, seafarer welfare and skill development, port modernisation, warehousing, digital innovation and maritime infrastructure.
Sonowal invited Panama's Minister of Maritime Affairs to participate in India Maritime Week 2026 in New Delhi. Both countries agreed to continue discussions through stronger institutional partnerships.
