Did Norway’s Crown Prince and Sonowal Inaugurate the India Pavilion at Nor-Shipping?

Oslo, June 3 (NationPress) On Tuesday, Union Ports & Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal collaborated with Norway's Crown Prince Haakon to officially open the India Pavilion at the Nor-Shipping event, a prestigious global maritime conference taking place in the city.

This marks India’s inaugural participation in this elite maritime event, with the pavilion crafted to highlight the nation’s maritime prowess, fostering partnerships and collaborations with global maritime stakeholders to boost India’s sector capabilities.

The Crown Prince, alongside the Union Minister, toured the India Pavilion's exhibits. Sonowal guided him to view the model of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), which garnered acclaim from the Norwegian royal.

During the visit, the Crown Prince expressed curiosity regarding India’s maritime heritage, noting that ‘India’s maritime history, dating back four thousand years, predates the Viking maritime tradition of Norway.’ The NMHC, under development in Lothal, Gujarat, aims to protect and display India’s maritime history from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the present day, dedicated to the country’s rich maritime legacy.

In his speech, Sonowal stated: "India is on an ambitious maritime path — one deeply rooted in our past yet forward-looking, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' - Development and Heritage. This serves as a reminder that while we construct modern ports, vessels, and digital frameworks, we also need to honor and celebrate the timeless knowledge of our oceans, our shipbuilders, and our sailors."

During his time at the India Pavilion, the Crown Prince displayed a strong interest in India’s recent economic achievements, commending the nation’s impressive annual growth rate surpassing 6 percent this year. He confirmed plans to visit India later this year with a high-level business delegation.

In a gesture of goodwill, Sonowal presented the Crown Prince with a commemorative plaque inspired by the Harappan civilization. The Minister also invited him to visit the forthcoming NMHC and sought Norway’s support for the project’s successful execution.

The India Pavilion at the Nor-Shipping event features prominent Indian maritime firms including Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Ltd, Mandovi Dry Docks, and L&T Shipbuilding, along with significant MSME players in the maritime industry.

Sonowal emphasized the close bilateral relationship enjoyed by both nations. India and Norway, as leading maritime countries, share a solid and expanding partnership. Norwegian shipowners operate offices in India, and Indian seafarers comprise 10 percent of their crews. Indian shipyards, like Cochin Shipyard, have constructed several large vessels for Norway, underlining India's shipbuilding capabilities. This collaboration extends to the blue economy, with initiatives in marine spatial planning, pollution research, tsunami early warning systems, and deep-sea mining. The Joint Task Force on Blue Economy, established in 2019, continues to advance sustainable development and innovation in the maritime arena.

Sonowal made history as the first Indian Minister to visit the Minnehallen Memorial in Stavern, honoring fallen sailors with deep respect. He paid tribute to the 86 Indian seafarers who sacrificed their lives during World War II.

The names of these brave individuals have been inscribed on copper plaques, now displayed at the Minnehallen Memorial.