India and Saudi Arabia Forge Stronger Maritime Partnership with New Joint Working Group

One of the major developments discussed was the launch of the Jeddah–Mundra/Nhava Sheva shipping route by Saudi Arabia’s Folk Maritime Services.

 

India and Saudi Arabia have taken a decisive step toward strengthening their strategic maritime partnership by agreeing to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on maritime cooperation. The initiative, which aims to deepen collaboration in the shipping and logistics sectors, was announced during a high-level virtual meeting between India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, H.E. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

A Historic Partnership Strengthened by Modern Vision

Shri Sonowal highlighted the deep-rooted history of India–Saudi Arabia relations, noting centuries-old cultural and economic ties that have been significantly bolstered under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He emphasized that the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council, jointly chaired by both leaders, has already elevated bilateral relations into a multi-dimensional partnership spanning energy, infrastructure, trade, and now maritime cooperation.

Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth largest trading partner, while India stands as the Kingdom’s second largest trade partner, underscoring the critical role both nations play in each other’s economies. Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 42 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting the robustness of this growing partnership.

Maritime Visions Aligned: India and Saudi Arabia 2030 Goals

Shri Sonowal underlined the complementarities between India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seek to transform India into a leading maritime power, and Saudi Vision 2030, which envisions a diversified, logistics-driven economy. He pointed out that both nations are on parallel paths of maritime modernization, emphasizing digitized port systems, green shipping, and resilient logistics networks.

“The maritime sector is a key driver of India’s trillion-dollar investment roadmap,” Sonowal said. “By collaborating with Saudi Arabia, we see opportunities in green hydrogen hub ports, digitalized port operations, and sustainable shipping solutions, which align perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s logistics transformation strategy.”

Expanding Connectivity and Infrastructure

One of the major developments discussed was the launch of the Jeddah–Mundra/Nhava Sheva shipping route by Saudi Arabia’s Folk Maritime Services. This direct maritime corridor is expected to significantly reduce transit times, lower costs, and improve trade flows between the two countries.

India also showcased investment opportunities across its vast port and shipping ecosystem, including the USD 3 billion Maritime Development Fund. Two mega projects—Vadhavan Port on the western coast and the Outer Harbour Project at VO Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu—were highlighted as prime destinations for Saudi investment.

The Indian side also proposed shipbuilding and ship repair collaborations, suggesting possible cooperation between the Shipping Corporation of India and Saudi maritime enterprises. This could lead to the development of joint ship repair clusters, enhancing both nations’ capabilities in the global shipping market.

Multilateral and Global Cooperation

On the multilateral front, Shri Sonowal expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s support of India’s candidature to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, Category B, for the 2026–27 biennium. Both ministers recognized the importance of coordinated positions in global maritime governance, particularly in shaping policies on sustainability, digital transformation, and green shipping initiatives.

Looking Ahead: Institutionalizing Maritime Cooperation

The establishment of the Joint Working Group on Maritime Cooperation will institutionalize this partnership, providing a structured platform for regular meetings, policy exchanges, and collaborative initiatives in ports, shipping, and logistics.

Shri Sonowal concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to the Saudi Minister to participate in India Maritime Week 2025, scheduled to be held from October 27 to 31 in Mumbai. Saudi Arabia confirmed that a delegation will attend, signaling the seriousness of its commitment to building long-term cooperation with India.

“The creation of this Joint Working Group is a significant leap forward,” Sonowal remarked. “Together, India and Saudi Arabia can build future-ready, sustainable, and resilient maritime linkages that will serve as a global model of cooperation.”

Strategic Outlook

This development not only enhances bilateral connectivity but also positions India and Saudi Arabia as pivotal maritime partners in the Indian Ocean and West Asian region. With growing energy trade, digital innovations, and shared sustainability goals, the maritime partnership is poised to become one of the cornerstones of the two nations’ broader strategic engagement in the decades ahead.