India hosted the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue aboard the MV Empress (Cordelia Cruise Ship) at Chennai Port, with participation from all 10 ASEAN member nations and Timor Leste. The dialogue aims to strengthen maritime connectivity, promote cruise tourism, and deepen India–ASEAN strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue Highlights
- Venue: MV Empress (Cordelia Cruise Ship), Chennai Port; Follow-up in Mamallapuram (UNESCO Heritage Site)
- Host: Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
- Participants: Delegates from 10 ASEAN countries + Timor Leste
- ASEAN Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
- Special Guest: Timor Leste (observer/participant)
Objectives of Dialogue
- Strengthen India–ASEAN maritime cooperation
- Develop a sustainable cruise circuit across the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific
- Establish an ASEAN–India Cruise Tourism Corridor
- Boost cruise passenger traffic and support Sagarmala & Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
- Enhance port infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and people-to-people connectivity
Key Thematic Sessions
- ASEAN–India Cooperation Fund: Trade & Investment
- ASEAN–India Cruise Tourist Circuits: Cruise Tourism
Strategic Vision and Long-Term Goals
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Professionalise 5,000 km of waterways, build cruise infrastructure
- National Cruise Tourism Strategy: Increase cruise passengers to 1 million annually by 2029
- Viksit Bharat 2047 + ASEAN Community Vision 2045: Integrated cruise tourism and trade ecosystem in Indo-Pacific
- Boost Indo-ASEAN coastal tourism hubs and develop cultural-commercial cruise routes
Why This Dialogue Matters?
First-of-its-kind platform to:
- Facilitate cruise corridor planning
- Advance blue economy cooperation
- Tap into India and ASEAN’s shared maritime heritage
- Promote economic growth, tourism, and regional peace
About ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
| Feature | Details |
| Established | 8 August 1967 (Bangkok Declaration) |
| Founding Members | Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand |
| Current Members | 10 nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) |
| Secretariat | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Motto | “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” |
| Combined Population | ~662 million (2022) |
| Combined GDP | ~$3.2 trillion (2022) |