New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- India aims to handle its entire export-import trade using Indian-flagged and domestically built ships by 2047 as part of plans to cut reliance on foreign shipping and become a major global maritime power, Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the third edition of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue in New Delhi, Sonowal said the government's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 outlines a self-reliant maritime ecosystem across ports, shipping, shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime education, and skills.

"India wants to become self-reliant for shipbuilding," Sonowal said, adding that the long-term objective is to build sufficient domestic capacity to meet the ...