ASEAN‑INDIA CRUISE DIALOGUE 2025

Current Context: India hosted the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port on 30 June 2025, continuing in Mamallapuram. Delegates from all ten ASEAN nations plus Timor-Leste participated.

About ASEAN‑INDIA cruise dialogue

• Host & Location: Inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (MoPSW) in Chennai and Mamallapuram.
• Attendance: Delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
• Objectives:
• Strengthen maritime cooperation and cruise connectivity under Sagar Mala, aiming for 1 million cruise passengers by 2029.
• Develop an integrated cruise network between Indian and ASEAN ports with real‑time tracking, modern terminals, and regulatory alignment.
• Promote sustainable tourism, cultural exchange, and economic growth via the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

About ASEAN

• Established: 8 August 1967 in Bangkok by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand; total of 10 member states.
• Headquarters: ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Objective: Promote peace, regional cooperation, economic growth, social progress, cultural development .

Population & Economy: ~600 million people; 4th largest global economy with a combined GDP (PPP) > US $3 trillion.