Chennai Sets Sail for Maritime Diplomacy with First Ever ASEAN India Cruise Dialogue
Chennai became the centre of attention in maritime diplomacy this week as India hosted the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue, marking a significant step in boosting regional tourism and maritime cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. The landmark event, held aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. It brought together over 30 delegates from all ten ASEAN countries, along with representatives from Timor Leste, underscoring a shared vision for enhancing cruise connectivity and strengthening economic, cultural, and tourism links between India and Southeast Asia.
The dialogue focused on exploring ways to integrate Indian and ASEAN cruise networks, with the aim of developing a sustainable maritime tourism circuit connecting culturally rich coastal regions. The initiative falls in line with India’s broader strategic objectives under the Sagarmala programme and the Act East Policy. Minister Sonowal highlighted India’s ambitious target of professionalising over 5,000 kilometres of navigable waterways and attracting at least one million cruise passengers annually by 2029. He described the cruise dialogue as a foundational step towards transforming the Indo-Pacific into a thriving hub of cruise tourism, especially for nations in the Global South.
The two-day event continues in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu, where delegates are visiting historical monuments and temples to gain first-hand experience of India’s vast untapped coastal tourism potential. This setting not only promotes India’s cultural heritage but also emphasizes its readiness to be a leading cruise tourism destination. During the dialogue, participants discussed strategies for fostering private investment, developing infrastructure, and facilitating seamless cruise operations across Indian and ASEAN ports.
Minister of State Shantanu Thakur also addressed the gathering, reiterating ASEAN’s central role in India’s maritime outlook and long-standing cultural connections with Southeast Asia. He emphasized that cruise tourism is more than a business opportunity—it’s a platform for reviving ancient maritime ties and encouraging deeper regional cooperation through the blue economy. Senior government officials and key industry leaders joined the event to explore operational models, policy frameworks, and the necessary digital and physical infrastructure required to make this vision a reality.
India’s proposal to institutionalise the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue as a recurring forum further cements its commitment to long-term maritime collaboration. As the Indo-Pacific continues to gain global strategic importance, Chennai’s hosting of this pioneering event showcases India’s intention to lead sustainable tourism efforts and modernise regional maritime routes. The success of this dialogue is expected to pave the way for more structured cruise tourism circuits, greater people-to-people exchanges, and increased economic activity across coastal regions.
