Sarbananda Sonowal Urges South Korean Maritime Investment in India

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal began a four-day visit to South Korea on Sunday to promote India's maritime opportunities and expand shipbuilding cooperation. Starting in Busan, Sonowal met with Indian professionals at firms such as Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and HD Hyundai, urging them to serve as living bridges by bringing their expertise back to India.

During a World Maritime Day roundtable and meetings with the Korea Marine Equipment Association (KOMEA), Sonowal invited South Korean firms to invest in Indian shipyards and maritime equipment. He highlighted India's legislative progress, including five maritime laws enacted in 2025 and a Maritime Single Window, as part of the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. India aims to become one of the world's top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.

As a result of the VOYAGES cooperation framework established in April, KOMEA will open its first Indian office in Mumbai on October 30. KOMEA Chairman Ho-il Kang stated that member firms are preparing to enter the Indian market within two years to supply high-value equipment. This expansion is supported by a $7.8 billion shipbuilding package approved by the Indian government in September 2025.