India, Nov. 13 -- Andhra Pradesh is poised to emerge as a globally competitive maritime and logistics hub, backed by major investments in port infrastructure, shipbuilding and ship repair, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.

Addressing the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Sonowal highlighted the state's strategic advantages, including its approximately 1,053-km coastline along the Bay of Bengal, access to key international shipping routes and proximity to major Asian manufacturing and trading economies.

He said these strengths position Andhra Pradesh to become India's principal maritime gateway to ASEAN, East Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Sonowal credited the lead...