<p data-path-to-node="5">In a major diplomatic move to safeguard open global maritime passage, <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="89">Panama</b> has officially invited India to become a signatory to the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="154">Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal</b>. The proposal was presented by Panamanian Foreign Minister <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="290">Javier Eduardo Martínez-Acha Vásquez</b> during delegation-level talks with India’s External Affairs Minister <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="396">Dr. S. Jaishankar</b> and Union Shipping Minister <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="442">Sarbananda Sonowal</b> in New Delhi.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The diplomatic push aims to recruit major emerging maritime powers like India into the international treaty framework, ensuring the 82-kilometer interoceanic waterway remains permanently neutral, secure, and accessible to commercial shipping from all nations during both peacetime and global conflicts.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Insulating Key Maritime Infrastructure Amid Suez Diversions and Global Trade Shifting</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The invitation comes as global shipping lines increasingly re-evaluate routing options due to ongoing geopolitical instability across traditional ocean corridors:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Treaty Architecture &amp; Accession:</b> Enacted in 1977 alongside the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the Neutrality Treaty guarantees that the Panama Canal remains open to merchant vessels of all flags without discrimination. The treaty's protocol allows non-signatory nations worldwide to accede, with the Organization of American States (OAS) acting as the official depositary.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capitalizing on Suez Rerouting:</b> Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha Vásquez highlighted that escalating security risks in the Red Sea and Suez Canal have prompted mainliner carriers to shift a portion of East–West container transits to the Panama Canal route. Accession by India would reinforce maritime stability for South Asian cargo moving to the US East Coast and Latin America.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Deepening Bilateral Shipping Agreements:</b> Alongside discussions on the Neutrality Treaty, India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Panama Maritime Authority agreed to expedite a comprehensive <b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="216">Bilateral Agreement on Maritime Transportation</b>. Focus areas include green ship recycling, mutual recognition of seafarer certifications, digital port innovation, and joint logistics investments.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Gateway to Latin America:</b> Expressing strong optimism, Dr. S. Jaishankar characterized Panama as India's natural logistics hub for Central and South America, stressing that Panamanian port assets and free trade zones offer a reliable platform for Indian exporters targeting Western Hemisphere markets.</p></li></ul>