India, Japan agree to transform AndamanNicobar, Lakshadweep into 'smart islands

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met Japan’s Minister for International Affairs, Terada Yoshimichi to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation.
Key decision: Both sides agreed to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands as “Smart Islands”focusing on:
- Renewable energy deployment
- Smart mobility systems
- Digital infrastructure
- Ecological conservation and maritime security
Shipbuilding & Ports Cooperation:
- India invited leading Japanese shipbuilding companies — Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — to explore joint ventures with Indian shipyards.
- Discussed greenfield investments by Japanese shipyards (e.g. possible projects in Andhra Pradesh).
- Plans to co-develop ports and maritime industrial clusters as clean energy hubs.
Maritime Workforce & Technology:
- Focus on port digitisation, green port initiatives, R&D collaboration, upskilling human resources, and employing more Indian seafarers.
- India also invited Japan’s Big Three maritime companies — NYK Line, MOL, K Line — to invest in India’s growing maritime sector.
This collaboration aims to boost India–Japan strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific and support sustainable maritime development.

Updated - Jun 2, 2025 at 08:21 PM | ET Infra