In a landmark move aimed at transforming India’s maritime infrastructure, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the government’s ambitious plan to professionalize 5,000 km of navigable inland waterways and establish cruise connectivity with ASEAN nations. The announcement came during the inauguration of the first-ever ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue.
Sonowal emphasized that this initiative is not just about infrastructure—but about reviving ancient trade routes, boosting cultural exchange, and aligning with India’s long-term development vision under Viksit Bharat 2047.
Key Highlights:
- 5,000 km of waterways to be professionalized with modern infrastructure and real-time tracking systems.
- Cruise ship calls increased from 102 (2013–14) to over 14,000 in 2025, indicating booming maritime tourism.
- Target: 1 million cruise passengers by 2029 under the Sagarmala vision.
- New cruise circuits to connect Indian ports with culturally rich ASEAN coastal cities.
- Tamil Nadu spotlighted as a key maritime hub with:
- Strong push for public-private partnerships (PPP) to streamline port services, customs, and immigration processes.
- 16+ ports
- Second-largest state economy
- Historical links to Southeast Asia, Europe, China, and Egypt
- Integrated cruise network proposed to bolster India-ASEAN connectivity.
- Focus on people-to-people ties to complement physical maritime connectivity.
Sonowal reiterated that maritime tourism is central to India’s strategic outreach to ASEAN. He noted that efforts are underway to modernize ports while respecting the region’s deep-rooted cultural and trading history—making this not just an economic initiative, but a civilizational one.
“We are reconnecting our past to shape a more vibrant and united future with ASEAN,” Sonowal said, aligning the cruise initiative with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
