India views South Korea as a key partner in its plan to expand shipbuilding capacity and enhance maritime security, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s minister of ports, shipping and waterways.
In a written interview to Yonhap, he linked this cooperation to India’s long-term “Viksit Bharat 2047” initiative, which aims for developed-country status by the centenary of India’s independence.
The minister said New Delhi intends to become one of the world’s top ten shipbuilding nations by 2030 and one of the top five by 2047. The Indian government plans to invest US$24 billion in the initiative and expand its commercial fleet from 1,500 to 2,500 vessels to improve self-reliance.
Sonowal said achieving these goals will require international partnerships and described South Korea as essential due to its shipbuilding technology and experience in producing “reliable and timely ships with high quality specifications.”
He emphasized South Korea’s strengths in precision engineering, LNG expertise and efficient production systems. He also said South Korea’s economic development provides lessons on “focused industrial policy, technology absorption and disciplined workforce,” and noted the role of “targeted incentives” and innovation across government, industry and academia.
India is already cooperating with Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai. In July, HD Hyundai signed a partnership agreement with India’s state-owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd., the first agreement of its kind between a South Korean and an Indian shipbuilder.
Sonowal said he expects long-term benefits such as skill transfer, new clusters, a full supply-chain ecosystem and broader Indian participation in global order books. He said that within five to ten years, joint ventures could establish new shipyards in India.
According to the minister, India can offer a large market, skilled manpower and cost competitiveness, while geographic proximity to Africa, South and West Asia and the Asia-Europe route makes it a cost-competitive base for Korean companies. He also cited potential for joint manufacturing, component sourcing, modular construction, on-site training and possibly a joint technology centre, saying that skilled Indian engineering trained in Korean shipyards could “strengthen both ecosystems.”
Sonowal acknowledged challenges for foreign shipbuilders, including long project cycles and initial infrastructure adjustments, but said the government is addressing these issues.
In September, India approved a package of around 697 billion rupees (US$8 billion) to revitalize the shipbuilding and maritime sector and expand domestic capacity. He said this will create a stronger foundation for cooperation with South Korean companies, extending beyond traditional shipbuilding to port digitalization, green shipping, maritime cybersecurity, technology partnerships and skill development. He added that “Korea can be a strategic investor and capability partner” in adopting advanced ship designs, production processes, automation, green technologies and global quality standards.
