India Hosts First ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue to Boost Maritime Tourism

In a groundbreaking move toward maritime collaboration and sustainable tourism development, the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue was inaugurated in Chennai today by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. The two-day event, hosted aboard the MV Empress (Cordelia Cruise Ship) at Chennai Port, is bringing together delegates from all 10 ASEAN member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam—along with Timor Leste, showcasing India’s growing maritime engagement with Southeast Asia.

With participation from over 30 ASEAN delegates, the high-level dialogue marks a significant milestone in Indo-Pacific maritime diplomacy, aiming to create a vibrant, connected, and culturally integrated cruise tourism circuit between India and ASEAN nations.

India and ASEAN Unite to Build a Cruise Tourism Hub in the Global South

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, addressing the inaugural session, called the occasion a strategic turning point in the region’s maritime narrative. Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Maritime India Vision 2030, he announced India’s plans to professionalize 5,000 km of navigable waterways to improve regional cruise connectivity.

The Minister pointed out that cruise tourism in India is undergoing a transformative boom, with ship calls increasing from just 102 in 2013–14 to over 14,000 in recent years, backed by policy liberalisation, infrastructure modernization, and tax reforms.

India envisions an integrated cruise network linking its ports to ASEAN cultural and commercial destinations. “Our goal is to develop a sustainable Cruise Circuit among culturally rich coastal cities across the Indian Ocean,” said Sonowal. “With modern terminals, real-time tracking systems, and seamless coordination, India and ASEAN can together become the hub of cruise tourism for the Global South.”

Cruise Bharat Mission: India's Blueprint for Cruise Tourism Leadership

The ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue is closely aligned with flagship initiatives like the Cruise Bharat Mission, Maritime India Vision 2030, and the recently launched Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These initiatives seek to position India as a global cruise tourism leader, offering affordable and high-quality cruising experiences, fostering cultural exchange, and generating employment.

Union Minister Sonowal underscored that such collaboration is key to building a maritime bridge of friendship and commerce between India and ASEAN. “We aim to co-create cruise circuits that celebrate our shared cultural heritage, economic potential, and deep-rooted maritime traditions,” he said.

ASEAN: A Pillar of India’s Act East Policy

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, echoed this vision, affirming ASEAN’s role as a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. He stated that India is working to revitalize ancient maritime links and build modern-day partnerships across coastlines, inland waterways, and international waters.

“Cruise tourism is a powerful vehicle for people-to-people connectivity, economic empowerment, and cultural diplomacy,” he noted. “Through this dialogue, we are taking a concrete step toward shaping a peaceful, prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Dialogue Themes: Connectivity, Investment, and Cruise Circuits

The dialogue includes two major thematic sessions:

1. ASEAN–India Cooperation Fund: Trade & Investment – exploring funding mechanisms, investment opportunities, and public-private partnerships in maritime infrastructure and cruise tourism development.

2. ASEAN–India Cruise Tourist Circuits – mapping out viable cruise routes, identifying regulatory harmonization needs, and designing joint promotional strategies to boost cruise passenger traffic.

Deliberations are also addressing connectivity gaps, visa facilitation, customs streamlining, and best regulatory practices to facilitate smoother and more inclusive cruise tourism growth.

Showcasing India’s Coastal Heritage: Mamallapuram Tour

As part of the cultural immersion, the delegates will visit Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to experience India’s heritage-led tourism model. They will tour shore temples, rock-cut monuments, and participate in sessions focused on promoting cultural tourism through cruise itineraries.

This segment highlights India’s potential to offer immersive cultural experiences for global travellers, reinforcing its value proposition as a unique cruise destination.

Strategic Stakeholders Join Hands

The dialogue witnessed active participation from key maritime and tourism stakeholders including:

• Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW

• Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, MoPSW

• Shri Venkatesapathy, Joint Secretary, MoPSW

• Shri Sunil Paliwal, Chairman, Chennai Port Authority and IPA

• Shri Rajeev Jalota, Advisor, Cruise Bharat Mission

• Dr. K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu

• Senior officials from both Central and State governments

Their combined efforts aim to build a collaborative framework for ASEAN–India cruise tourism, institutionalize the dialogue as an annual multilateral platform, and steer policy toward inclusive and sustainable maritime development.

A Vision for the Indo-Pacific

The maiden ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue marks a significant stride in advancing maritime ties and regional economic integration. By leveraging shared cultural roots, modern infrastructure, and digital solutions, India and ASEAN are laying the foundation for a Cruise Tourism Corridor that could redefine the Indo-Pacific travel landscape.

As Minister Sonowal aptly concluded, “With unity, vision, and shared purpose, we can make this region not just a transit zone, but a global cruise tourism destination of the future.”