India, Panama to strengthen maritime connectivity, supply chains

Panama Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 

India and Panama are discussing enhancement of maritime connectivity and investments in ports.

This comes in the backdrop of West Asia tensions and as India aims to diversify its energy supplies and trade routes.

The discussions were held during Panama foreign minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez’s New Delhi visit this week. Vasquez held wide ranging discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He also interacted with Union Minister of Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal and Director General of Maritime Administration Shyam Jagannathan.

The bulk of India’s crude oil and gas imports transited from the Strait of Hormuz before the start of Iran-US conflict. Since then efforts have been made to diversify the sources. Infact US emerged as India’s largest LNG supplier in May.

New shipping services

The two sides discussed the possibility of developing new shipping services that would help India connect markets in North America and Latin America. The Panamanian delegation informed that a gas pipeline is being proposed parallel to the canal - which presently is the preferred lane for LNG carriers from US to East Asia. The pipeline would help relieve congestion in the canal and year round flows of gas. Vasquez also highlighted investment opportunities for Indian companies in maritime infrastructure and ports in Panama.

In a X post Directorate General of Maritime Administration said both sides discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector, including the proposed memorandum of understanding on maritime co-operation. Discussions focused on promoting trade and connectivity, knowledge sharing and capacity building, maritime safety and security, and the welfare and protection of seafarers, it said.

“India and Panama are natural maritime partners. By combining Panama’s strategic logistics strengths with India’s growing maritime capabilities, we can build resilient supply chains, strengthen global connectivity and create new opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and sustainable growth,” Sonowal said.

Published on July 23, 2026