India recently hosted the first ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai to strengthen maritime cooperation and tourism. The dialogue aimed to boost regional connectivity and economic integration across the Indo-Pacific region.
Objectives and Vision
- Strengthen maritime cooperation between India and ASEAN.
- Promote sustainable coastal and cruise tourism.
- Boost economic and cultural integration in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Support India’s Sagarmala initiative and ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Key Highlights
- Hosted aboard MV Empress at Chennai Port.
- Participation from 30+ delegates representing 10 ASEAN nations and Timor Leste.
- Dialogue to continue in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with visits to historic monuments.
Thematic Sessions
- Investment in cruise infrastructure.
- Development of cruise tourism circuits.
Ministerial Insights
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized professionalizing 5,000 km of navigable waterways.
- Vision to increase cruise passenger traffic to 1 million annually by 2029.
- Cruise network to align with Viksit Bharat 2047 and ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
- Minister of State Shantanu Thakur reaffirmed ASEAN’s importance in the Act East Policy and emphasized historical maritime links.
Static Information
- Sagarmala Project: Launched by the Government of India to modernize ports and develop coastal infrastructure.
- Act East Policy: India’s diplomatic outreach to strengthen economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian nations.
Significance
- First formal initiative to integrate India’s cruise tourism with ASEAN routes.
- Establishes India as a strategic tourism partner in the Global South.
- Encourages foreign investment, enhances people-to-people ties, and promotes coastal heritage tourism.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- The ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue aims to enhance maritime cooperation, sustainable tourism, and economic integration across the Indo-Pacific region.
- India’s strategic efforts under initiatives like Sagarmala and Act East Policy highlight its focus on reviving ancient maritime links and developing cruise circuits.
- The dialogue signifies a major step towards strengthening cruise tourism and positioning India as a hub for regional cruise networks.
- Key ministries involved in the dialogue include the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, emphasizing cruise connectivity, investment, tourism circuits, and heritage promotion.
