NationalSaturday, 17 October 2026·The Hindu - National
India’s maritime cooperation talks with Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Bhutan: ports, waterways and green shipping
India held bilateral maritime talks in New Delhi on October 8, 2026, covering Vadhavan, Galathea Bay, Antwerp-Bruges and National Waterway-2.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On October 8, 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held bilateral maritime meetings in New Delhi with Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Bhutan during Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026.
Key specifics
- Saudi Arabia showed interest in Indian port projects, including Vadhavan and Galathea Bay.
- India and Belgium discussed a green shipping corridor linking Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges.
- Bhutan talks covered National Waterway-2, the Jogighopa terminal and the Manas and Sankosh rivers.
- India’s port capacity rose from 1,561 MTPA to 2,817 MTPA over 12 years, according to Sonowal.
- India’s seafarer workforce increased from 1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh, and women seafarers from 1,599 in 2021 to 7,033 in 2025.
Exam lens
Question type: economy and infrastructure MCQ; key facts: Sagarmanthan 2026, Vadhavan, Galathea Bay, Antwerp-Bruges, National Waterway-2, 2,817 MTPA, 3.23 lakh seafarers. TNPSC may ask which minister discussed green shipping corridors and inland waterways.