Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 30 (ANI): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the first-ever ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai on Monday, marking a significant step towards strengthening maritime ties and positioning the region as a cruise tourism hub of the Global South.
The dialogue, hosted aboard the MV Empress (Cordelia Cruise ship) at Chennai Port, saw participation from all ten ASEAN nations—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—along with Timor Leste. Over 30 delegates joined Indian stakeholders and senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in this collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing cruise connectivity, maritime cooperation, and sustainable tourism across the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Sonowal said India is working to professionalise 5,000 km of navigable waterways to improve cruise connectivity with ASEAN nations. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India aims to welcome one million cruise passengers by 2029, a dramatic rise from the 102 ship calls in 2013-14 to over 14,000 today, thanks to major policy reforms, tax relief measures, and modernised port infrastructure.
“India and ASEAN nations can together become the hub of cruise tourism of the Global South,” Sonowal said. He underscored the synergy between India’s flagship initiatives—Cruise Bharat Mission, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047—and ASEAN’s maritime ambitions, noting their combined potential to drive economic growth, foster cultural exchange, and create employment across the region.
The dialogue includes two thematic sessions: “ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund: Trade & Investment” and “ASEAN-India Cruise Tourist Circuits: Cruise Tourism.” Delegates are discussing connectivity gaps, regulatory best practices, and strategies for promoting inclusive, sustainable cruise tourism.
The event will continue in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a focus on heritage-led cruise tourism and deeper ASEAN-India collaboration. Delegates will also tour the ancient shore temples and rock-cut monuments, showcasing India’s cultural and coastal tourism offerings.
The Ministry stated that the Government of India envisions the ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue as a recurring multilateral forum, serving as a strategic enabler for regional maritime growth and people-to-people connectivity.
The 2025 edition supports national objectives outlined in the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ and National Cruise Tourism Strategy, reaffirming India’s commitment to fostering modern cruise infrastructure and strong maritime partnerships. (ANI)
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