India and Russia marked a significant milestone in maritime cooperation with the signing of two landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on Friday, aimed at strengthening connectivity, shipbuilding capacity, and advancing maritime collaboration between the two nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the strategic importance of maritime connectivity, announced that both countries will move forward with renewed energy on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Northern Sea Route (NSR), and the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC).
“Enhancing connectivity between the two countries is our top priority. We will move forward with renewed energy on the INSTC, the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridors. I am pleased that we will now collaborate in training Indian seafarers for polar waters. This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic but also create new employment opportunities for the youth of India,” Prime Minister Modi stated.
The Prime Minister further emphasised the shipbuilding dimension: “Similarly, our deep cooperation in shipbuilding has the potential to empower Make in India. This is yet another excellent example of our win-win partnership, which will boost jobs, skills, and regional connectivity alike.”
The first MoU focuses on training Indian seafarers for polar water operations, aligned with the STCW Convention and the Polar Code. The partnership will facilitate joint design of specialised training modules and capability development for navigation in extreme weather and ice-bound conditions.
The second MoU, signed between the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation and India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, establishes a framework for regular consultations on maritime policy, safety, and security.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the transformative potential of this cooperation: “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is assuming a defining role in shaping a new chapter of Indo-Russian maritime cooperation. By strengthening shipbuilding under Make in India, advancing connectivity through strategic corridors from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic, and equipping our seafarers with cutting-edge skills for polar operations, we are creating faster and resilient trade routes.”
Sonowal added, “A partnership that boosts Make in India, creates jobs, enhances skills through polar water training for our seafarers and strengthens regional connectivity while opening new horizons for a shared maritime future.”
The collaboration advances across three strategic corridors: the INSTC, expected to increase container movement from 150,000 to nearly 5 million TEUs annually; the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic; and the Eastern Maritime Corridor, which is 40 percent shorter than conventional routes.
This partnership positions India-Russia maritime cooperation as a future-oriented framework rooted in shared growth and resilient supply chains.
Also Read:
