India and Panama strengthen maritime partnership
The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation on shipping, logistics, port development and digital innovation, building on a relationship dating back more than a century
India and Panama have agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation by expanding collaboration in shipping, logistics, port development, maritime security and digital innovation, following bilateral talks between India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both sides identified logistics, shipping, maritime security, skill development and digital transformation as the main areas for closer cooperation going forward.
India continues to invest heavily in expanding its maritime sector, while Panama remains one of the world's leading maritime logistics hubs given its position along one of the busiest interoceanic trade routes. Officials from both countries said stronger cooperation could help boost trade, investment and supply chain connectivity between South Asia and the Americas, building on a maritime relationship the two governments say dates back to the nineteenth century.
During the talks, Panama's side outlined four priority areas for future cooperation: maritime security, technical collaboration between India's shipping directorate and the Panama Maritime Authority, maritime education and skill development, and digital transformation covering artificial intelligence, smart port logistics and maritime single-window systems. India's minister highlighted his country's ongoing investments in ports, shipping, inland waterways, logistics, shipbuilding and green maritime initiatives as part of the case for closer ties.
India's minister described Panama as a natural gateway to Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean, and called for improved shipping links and stronger logistics partnerships to boost bilateral trade. He also proposed accelerating discussions toward a bilateral agreement covering maritime transportation and port development, with a scope that would extend to green ship recycling, seafarer welfare, port modernisation, warehousing and digital innovation.
Both countries agreed to continue talks through stronger institutional partnerships, with India's minister inviting his Panamanian counterpart to attend an upcoming maritime industry event in New Delhi. The agreement adds to a broader pattern of India seeking to expand its maritime diplomacy and trade relationships across Latin America as it continues to grow its domestic port and shipping capacity.
