India-ASEAN to promote new cruise circuits
India plans to professionalise 5,000 km of navigable waterways to enhance cruise connectivity with ASEAN nations, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal told delegates from the South East Asian countries at the first-ever ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue held in Chennai on 20 June.
Sonowal said, “India is committed to work closely with ASEAN member nations to co-operate and co-promote new cruise circuits connecting our vibrant coastal cities and cultural destinations,” he assured the delegates https://www.bseindia.com/.
“This dialogue is likely to explore the region to become the hub of cruise tourism of the Global South. Together, we can establish an integrated cruise network linking India with ASEAN countries, through modern ports, efficient tracking systems and robust support mechanisms https://www.nseindia.com/.”
He informed the delegates that India plans to work with ASEAN countries to develop cruise tourism and tourism circuits in the Bay of Bengal as well as the Indian Ocean region.
An integrated cruise network linking Indian ports with ASEAN destinations supported by real-time tracking and modern terminals was deliberated at the meet.
“Our efforts are to align with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and ASEAN Community Vision 2045, aiming to strengthen economic and cultural ties in the region. Together, we want to develop a sustainable Cruise Circuit among the culturally vibrant coastal cities and regions of India and ASEAN countries across the Indian Ocean to offer the best travel experience for any traveller and transforming it as the hub of Cruise Tourism of Global South https://sbi.com.in/.”
With more collaboration and cooperation, both at private as well as regional level, this meet can power the cruise tourism to realise its transformative potential to act as a powerful catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange and employment generation across the region, he said.
“India and ASEAN nations can together become the hub of cruise tourism of the Global South http://conexpoconagg.com.”
He pointed out that India’s Sagar Mala initiative aims for one million cruise passengers by 2029, with ship calls rising sharply from 102 in 2013–14 to over 14,000 today, driven by policy reforms, tax measures and improved port infrastructure.
The dialogue serves as a high-level platform for collaboration on cruise tourism, port infrastructure development, regulatory alignment, and the identification of cruise routes connecting cultural and commercial centres across the Bay of Bengal and beyond. It also envisions the establishment of an ASEAN–India Cruise Tourism Corridor, aligned with India’s larger maritime vision. Two thematic sessions are guiding the discussions on “ASEAN–India Cooperation Fund: Trade & Investment” and on “ASEAN–India Cruise Tourist Circuits: Cruise Tourism http://commerce.gov.in.”
The meet hosted by India is being attended by all the member nations of ASEAN; i.e., Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam along with Timor Leste.
The meet was held aboard the MV Empress (Cordelia Cruise ship) at Chennai Port, with more than 30 delegates from ASEAN countries. Along with the stakeholders and senior officials from the MoPSW, the event will continue in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur among others.
The participants, which includes policy leaders as well as industry leaders from the region, are also deliberating on connectivity gaps, regulatory best practices, and pathways to promote inclusive and sustainable cruise growth in the region.
The Indian Government envisions the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue as a recurring multilateral forum that will serve as a strategic enabler for regional maritime growth and people-to-people connectivity. This edition marks a significant step in positioning India and ASEAN at the centre of cruise tourism in the Indo-Pacific, MoPSW said in a statement.
Addressing the Dialogue, Minister of State Thakur added, “ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy and a vital partner in shaping a peaceful, prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Our centuries-old maritime ties now stand ready to be revitalised through cruise tourism and blue economy cooperation.”
Further, India is advancing with a holistic maritime vision spanning coastlines, inland rivers, and international waters to establish itself as a global maritime power.”
During the two-day meet, the dialogue also visited Mamallapuram, with sessions on heritage-led cruise tourism and deeper ASEAN–India collaboration. Delegates also toured the shore temples and rock-cut monuments, highlighting India’s cultural and coastal tourism appeal.
The ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue 2025 supports national goals under the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ and National Cruise Tourism Strategy, underscoring India’s commitment to stronger maritime partnerships and modern cruise infrastructure, said MoPSW. Fiinews.com
