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NEW DELHI: India is in talks with Saudi Arabia for investment in its strategic port projects and closer cooperation in shipbuilding and seafarer training, the Indian shipping minister said following a meeting with Saudi Ports Authority President Suliman Al-Mazroua.<\/p>\n
New Delhi is hosting South Asia\u2019s largest maritime conference, Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026, which concluded on Friday after gathering over 1,200 speakers and participants from more than 70 countries.<\/p>\n
On the sidelines of the event, Sarbananda Sonowal, India\u2019s minister of ports, shipping and waterways, held bilateral talks with various government officials, including Al-Mazroua, who also participated as a speaker.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe historical trade ties between India and Saudi Arabia are rapidly transforming into a dynamic, modern maritime partnership,\u201d Sonowal said on X after the talks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe discussed setting up a joint working group to further collaboration in the maritime energy sector, port investments & seafarer capacity building.\u201d<\/p>\n
More specifically, Sonowal and Al-Mazroua discussed \u201cSaudi participation in Indian port projects such as Vadhavan and Galathea Bay,\u201d according to a statement issued by the Indian Shipping Ministry, suggesting that the Kingdom may do so through India\u2019s Maritime Development Fund.<\/p>\n
Developing the ports in Vadhavan and Galathea Bay is key to some of India\u2019s strategic interests, said Vanshika Saraf, research analyst for the geostrategy program at the Takshashila Institution.<\/p>\n
The Vadhavan Port, located around a four-hour drive from India\u2019s financial capital of Mumbai, is likely to \u201cserve as an important deep-water gateway for India\u2019s trade with the Gulf,\u201d she told Arab News.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince it is designed to accommodate ultra-large container vessels, it would help overcome some capacity constraints facing existing ports. Hence, Vadhavan is being positioned by India as a port supporting the proposed IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), in which Saudi Arabia is a participating country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Galathea Bay is central to India\u2019s ongoing Great Nicobar Project, a strategic initiative that aims to strengthen Delhi\u2019s presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia, while reducing \u201cits reliance on transshipment hubs like Singapore, Colombo and Port Klang,\u201d Saraf said.<\/p>\n
Saudi interests in the two Indian ports are also aligned with the Kingdom\u2019s diversification agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Kingdom aims to increase its role in international container transshipment, rather than relying exclusively on its position as an energy exporter,\u201d Saraf said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is also an investment rationale since both are large greenfield developments with potential opportunities for private participation in terminals and associated infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Delhi must also \u201censure that the projects are financially sustainable, environmentally defensible, and consistent with India\u2019s long-term maritime interests,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Al-Mazroua, who highlighted Saudi Arabia\u2019s experience in boosting supply chain resilience and security of maritime passages at the conference, said on X that the Kingdom was keen on developing its maritime ties with India.<\/p>\n
Following his meeting with Sonowal, he wrote on X: \u201cI look forward to strengthening our maritime partnership, enhancing cooperation in port investments and capacity building, and creating new opportunities for a more connected and sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n