Crown Prince of Norway and Minister Sonowal inaugurate India Pavilion at Nor-Shipping 2025, strengthening maritime ties.
In a landmark moment for India’s maritime diplomacy, HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, jointly inaugurated the India Pavilion at Nor-Shipping 2025, Oslo’s prestigious global maritime exhibition.
This marks India’s debut at Nor-Shipping, with the India Pavilion spotlighting the nation’s growing shipbuilding prowess, vibrant maritime MSME ecosystem, and strategic vision for global collaboration. On display were prominent companies like Cochin Shipyard, GRSE, L&T Shipbuilding, Goa Shipyard, and a robust line-up of MSMEs, including Chowgule & Co., Shoft Shipyard, and SWAN Defence.
The Crown Prince toured the India Pavilion alongside Minister Sonowal, showing great interest in India’s maritime legacy and its economic momentum, with growth exceeding 8% this year. He also reviewed the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) model, planned at Lothal, Gujarat, and remarked that India’s 4,000-year-old maritime history predates even Norway’s Viking era.
Minister Sonowal emphasised India’s dual approach of development and heritage, saying, “Under PM Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi,’ we are building modern infrastructure while celebrating our ancient seafaring legacy.” He proposed a comprehensive Indo-Norwegian partnership for NMHC, involving:
- Cultural exchanges through shared maritime artefacts and exhibitions
- Technological collaboration in digital storytelling and sustainable museum design
- Academic partnerships to advance marine archaeology and shipbuilding research
The minister also presented a Harappan-inspired commemorative plaque to the Crown Prince and invited him to visit NMHC in India.
In a significant diplomatic announcement, HRH Crown Prince Haakon confirmed his upcoming visit to India in 2025, accompanied by a large business delegation, signalling growing bilateral economic and maritime ties.
Earlier in the day, Minister Sonowal paid homage at Minnehallen Memorial in Stavern, honouring the memory of 86 Indian sailors who sacrificed their lives during World War II. He reaffirmed India’s enduring maritime connection with Norway and the shared goal of a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.
India and Norway’s robust maritime partnership is already evident through Norwegian shipowners employing Indian seafarers and Indian shipyards constructing large vessels for Norwegian companies. Ongoing cooperation also extends to marine spatial planning, pollution control, deep-sea mining, and tsunami early warning systems under the Joint Task Force on Blue Economy.
This high-profile engagement at Nor-Shipping sets the course for a renewed Indo-Norwegian maritime alliance, rooted in shared heritage and guided by future innovation.
Sarbananda Sonowal pays homage at ‘Minnehallen Memorial’ in Stavern, Norway
Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal became the first Indian minister to visit the ‘Minnehallen Memorial’ in Stavern, paying tribute to fallen sailors with solemn respect. Shri Sonowal paid obeisance and remembered the 86 Indian seafarers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.
Speaking after the visit, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is an honour to visit the Minnehallen Memorial and pay tribute to the brave 94 Indian sailors who served with courage and sacrifice during World War II. Their legacy of dedication and commitment inspires us to strengthen maritime ties and uphold their spirit of resilience.”
During World War II, Indian seafarers formed the third largest foreign national group serving aboard Norwegian merchant ships. Most hailed from Punjab and Bengal, with a notable number of Christian sailors from Goa as well. At least 86 Indian seamen lost their lives in the line of duty. In honour of their sacrifice, the Norwegian government inscribed their names on copper plaques, which are now installed at the Minnehallen Memorial. The Seamen’s Memorial Hall is Norway’s official memorial in commemoration of the seafarers who perished during the First and the Second World War. In the crypt of the memorial, 8000 names of deceased seafarers are engraved into copper plates.
Source: PIB
