The IC Division's mandate is to promote International Cooperation in various aspects related to Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Division is responsible for handling wide range of activities, including bilateral and multilateral agreements/MoUs/LoIs etc. with countries in maritime sector, engagements with various regional groupings and multilateral platforms including BIMSTEC, ASEAN, SCO, BRICS, IPEF, IPOI, IORA, CICA etc. Coordination work of International ferry services, Norther Sea Route, Eastern Maritime Corridor, Joint Working Group Meetings, foreign delegations, foreign visits, Sagarmanthan: the Great Oceans Conference, Capacity-building workshops etc.
- A. Treaties with various countries
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IIndia has entered into cooperation instruments/arrangements with other maritime countries and regional groupings by way of Agreements or MoUs to foster growth of Indian maritime sector as well as to safeguard India’s maritime interests.
Following is a list and status of these cooperation arrangements :-
S. No Country Date of Signature Subject 1 Afghanistan, Iran 23-May-2016 Agreement on the Establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor among the Governments (Chabahar Agreement) 2 Austria 3-Oct-2012 MoU on Technology Cooperation in the Shipping and Ports Infrastructure sectors, particularly in the areas of promotion of safe, efficient and cost effective shipping, ports infrastructure development, operation and maintenance and Maritime Communication Solutions which may constitute pilot and reference projects for cooperation 3 Bangladesh 25-Oct-2018 Agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Port for Movement of Goods to and from India 4 Bangladesh 8-Apr-2017 MoU on Passenger and Cruise Services on the Coastal and Protocol Routes. 5 Bangladesh 8-Apr-2017 MoU on Development of Fairway from Sirajganj to Daikhowa And Ashuganj to Zakiganj on Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route 6 Bangladesh 6-Jun-2015 MoU relating to use of Chittagong and Mongla Port for Movement of goods to and from India 7 Bangladesh 6-Jun-2015 Agreement on Coastal Shipping 8 Bangladesh 6-Jun-2015 Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade PIWTT. 9 Bangladesh 8-Apr-2017 MoU concerning Cooperation on Aids to Navigation 10 Belgium 24-Sep-1997 Cooperation in various fields relating to maritime transport and port development 11 Brazil South Africa IBSA 13-Sep-2006 Trilateral Agreement concerning Merchant Shipping and other Maritime Transport related matters 12 Bulgaria 18-Nov-1976 Agreement on Merchant Shipping 13 BIMSTEC members
03-Apr-2025
Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation amongst the Governments of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Republic of India, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Nepal, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Kingdom of Thailand - 7 Parties 14 China 29-Nov-1996 Agreement on Maritime Transport proceeding from the common aspiration for all possible expansion and deepening of economic and maritime cooperation 15 Cyprus 28-Apr-2017 Agreement on Merchant Shipping 16 Denmark 6-Feb-1965 Agreement on Recognition of tonnage certificates of merchant ships 17 Denmark 17-09-2024 Long-term cooperation on Maritime Issues 18 Egypt 2-Sept-2016 Agreement on Maritime Transport between India and Egypt-2016 18 Finland 2-Sep-2016 Agreement on Maritime Transport 20 Germany 9-Jan-1979 Agreement in the Field of Merchant Shipping 21 Iran 6-May-2015 Memorandum of understanding over Partnership of India in Development Plan of Chabahar Port 22 Iran 3-Jan-1995 Agreement on Maritime Commercial Navigation Between India and Iran 23 Jordan 11-Oct-2015 Agreement on Maritime Transport 24 Maldives 30-Sep-2021 Agreement for Augmenting Marine Safety, Security and Environment Protection in the Region through Cooperation in the LRIT System 25 Maldives 8-Jun-2019 MoU for the Establishment of Passenger and Cargo Services by Sea 26 Malta 17-Sep-2018 MoU on Maritime Cooperation 27 Morocco 22-Feb-2000 Agreement for rendering sustained mutual assistance and advice on merchant shipping and other related maritime matters. 28 Myanmar 22-Oct-2018 MoU for Appointment of a Private Operator for Operation and Maintenance of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water Transport Terminal and Associated Facilities (Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project) 29 Nepal 1-Jun-2023 Treaty of Transit between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal 30 Netherlands 3-Apr-2023 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation. Renewed on 27.10.2025 (will be in effect after 03.04.2026. 31 Netherlands 27-Oct-2025 LoI on establishment of a green and digital sea corridor. 32 Oman 24-Dec-2019 Agreement on Maritime Transport 33 Pakistan 14-Dec-2006 Protocol on Shipping Services to MoU14th Dec 2006 34 Pakistan 15-Jan-1975 Protocol on Shipping Services to MoU 15 Jan 1975 Protocol on Resumption of Shipping Services between India and Pakistan to the MoU 30 Nov 1974 and Simla agreement 1972 35 Poland 27-Feb-1970 Protocol between the two countries regarding Shipping Service to the Indo Polish Shipping Agreement 36 Poland 27-Jun-1960 Agreement on Shipping Cooperation to strengthen and develop friendly cooperation In Maritime Transport 37 Poland 16-May-1956 Agreement regarding Shipping Cooperation 38 Portugal 14-Feb-2020 Cooperation Agreement in the field of Maritime Transport and Ports 39 Portugal 14-Feb-2020 MoU for cooperation in development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, India. 40 Republic of Korea 13-Apr-2016 MoU on Cooperation in Port Related Industry 41 Republic of Korea 18-May-2015 MoU on Cooperation in the Fields of Maritime Transport and Logistics 42 Russia 6-Apr-1956 Agreement relating to the further strengthening of the regular Shipping Service between the Ports of India and the Ports of the Russian Federation. 43 Russia 19-Jul-1976 Agreement on Merchant Shipping 44 Russia 23-Dec-1994 Agreement on Merchant Shipping 45 Russia 04-Dec-2025 MoU on Maritime Cooperation 46 Russia 04-Dec-2025 MoU on the training of Specialists for ships operating in Polar Waters 47 South Africa 23-March-2006 Agreement Concerning Merchant Shipping, and other Maritime Transport Related Matters 48 Spain 5-Jul-2016 MoU on Cooperation in Port Matters 49 Sri Lanka 7-Jan-2011 Passenger transportation by sea between the two countries and matters related thereto. 50 Singapore 3-Sept-2025
MoU on collaboration of Green and Digital Shipping Corridor 51 Singapore 24-Jan-1994 Agreement on Maritime Transport for promoting cooperation and improving efficiency of Maritime Transport in accordance with the principles of equity and mutual benefit. 52 Turkey 18-Jul-1988 Maritime Agreement between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Republic of Turkey 53 Thailand
3-Apr-2025
MoU with Thailand on the development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. 54 UAE 13-Feb-2024 MoU for cooperation in development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, India. 55 UAE 13-Feb-2024 Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement between India and UAE concerning cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor IMEC(Confidential) 56 Ukraine 3-Oct-2002 Agreement on Merchant Shipping 57 United Arab Emirates UAE 25-Jan-2017 MoU on Institutional Cooperation on Maritime Transport 58 United States of America USA 8-Apr-2015 Memorandum of Cooperation for a India - U.S. Transportation Partnership. 59 United States of America USA 14-Apr-2005 MoU for cooperation and collaboration in Maritime transportation science and technology on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. 60 Vietnam 1-Aug-2024 MoU for cooperation in development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, India. 61 Vietnam 24-May-2013 MoU on Maritime Shipping - B. Agreements on Certificate of Competency
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41 MoUs on CoCs (Agreement on recognition of certificates pursuant to Regulation I/10 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers, 1978, as amended)
Check link for the list:- Link
- C. Major achievements (International Passenger Ferry Service, Sagarmanthan event, BIMSTEC event and leading India pavillion in international events like Singapore Maritime Week and Nor Shipping):
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International Passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka: The India-Sri Lanka passenger ferry service, connecting Nagapattinam in India to Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka, launched on October 14, 2023. This high-speed service, aims to strengthen people-to-people ties, promote tourism, and provide a low-cost travel option between the two countries. The cargo shipping service between India and Maldives is being run by Shipping Corporation of India with the approval of Ministry of External Affairs and under the guidance of this Ministry. Since inception of the service, the grant in aid is being given by this Ministry directly to SCI.
Sagarmanthan event: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has organized the inaugural event of “Sagarmanthan : The Great Oceans Dialogue” from 18-19 November, 2024 in New Delhi. The initiative of this event has brought together global policymakers, maritime experts, industry leaders, and scholars to deliberate on advancing sustainable and innovative maritime practices. The second edition of this flagship dialogue has been held from 27-29 October 2025, in Mumbai.
BIMSTEC Ports Conclave: The 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave was successfully organized in Visakhapatnam in July 2025 by MoPS&W in coordination with the MEA and BIMSTEC Secretariat. Centre for Maritime Economy & Connectivity (CMEC) was the knowledge partner. The Conclave brought together Ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders from BIMSTEC Member States to deliberate on critical areas such as multimodal connectivity, harmonization of customs procedures, digital platforms for trade facilitation, cruise tourism opportunities, and workforce up skilling. The Conclave produced forward-looking action points, recommending a BIMSTEC Port Network, adoption of digital platforms for logistics, customs harmonization, and joint training initiatives, setting the stage for stronger regional maritime integration.
Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2025): India participated in Singapore Maritime Week 2025 (24–28 March 2025) with a dedicated Indian Pavilion led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). The pavilion highlighted India’s maritime growth, focusing on port modernization, green transition, digitalization of port operations, and opportunities for foreign investment in port infrastructure. A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between MoPSW and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to establish a Green & Digital Shipping Corridor. The delegation, led by India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, engaged with senior ministers and industry leaders, strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and investment linkages.
Nor-Shipping 2025 (Norway): India established a dedicated pavilion at Nor-Shipping 2025 (2-6 June 2025). The Pavilion highlighted India’s initiatives in shipbuilding, ship repair, and decarbonization of shipping. B2B meetings, industry interactions, and high-level government consultations were organized, further strengthening India’s maritime partnership with Nordic countries, which are global leaders in maritime innovation and green technologies. Indian maritime companies signed several cooperation agreements with global players.