The India-Russia Workshop on Operationalisation of the Eastern Maritime Corridor, organized by the Chennai Port Authority at Taj Vivanta, Sholinganallur, Chennai on 24^th January, witnessed active participation of Policy Makers, Regulators, industry leaders from Coal, Crude, LNG, Fertilizers, Containerized cargo, seaports and terminals from both nations.

After inaugurating the India-Russia Workshop for ‘Operationalisation of the Eastern Maritime Corridor’, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH, welcomed Russian delegates to India and thanked Indian delegates for their active participation in the workshop. Shri Sonowal underlined Government of India’s vision to propel Indian Maritime Sector though modernization, connectivity enhancement, port-led industrialization, partnering with nations in innovation and research.

During his address, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal stated that the maritime sector in India is steadily progressing towards achieving the Blue Economy 2047 vision during the “Amrit Kal” set by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi Ji. India is focused on the inclusive development, collaborations and private partnerships at domestic and global level to bring overall economic prosperity. He highlighted the close cooperation regular interactions between both countries, not only at the highest levels of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendara Modi ji and Hon’ble President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladivostok Putin but also at the Ministerial and Official levels. Speaking about the Eastern Maritime Corridor, Shri Sonowal highlighted immense savings in the transportation cost and shipment time. He shared his vision of making Indian Seafarers competent and trained to navigate the Arctics by training collaborations with Russia and promote icebreaker shipbuilding at Indian Shipyards.

Mr. Anatoly Yuryevich Bobrakov, Hon’ble Deputy Minister for the Development of the Far East and the Artic of the Russian Federation, highlighted the benefits of the bi-lateral trade relations between India and Russia. He emphasized the absolute determination of Hon’ble President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin towards development of the Russian Far East throughout the entire 21^st century.

Mr. Bobrakov further added that there has been over USD 130 billion investment already in Russia in Oil and Gas Sectors. Russia sees India as its strategic partner and is working closely to further deepen bi-lateral ties through enhanced trade relations. He expressed his confidence in the outcome of the India – Russia workshop at Chennai. He expressed his gratitude to the Chennai Port Authority, city of Chennai and India for a warm welcome. He mentioned an upcoming 9^th Far Eastern Economic Forum scheduled to be held in September 2024 and invited Indian delegates to Russia for attending the same.

Shri T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary to the Government of India for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, expressed gratitude to Russian Delegates for their active participation, greeted Indian delegates and applauded the efforts of Chennai Port Authority in organising the India-Russia workshop. He highlighted the benefits of this trade route and encouraged participants from both countries to take this dialogue forward and build strategic alliances and partnerships. Shri Ramachandran highlighted the importance given by Hon’ble Prime Minster of India, Shri Narendra Modi to enhance international trade relations of India.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India had earlier inaugurated the ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ and the Amrit Kal Vision – ‘Blue Economy Vision 2047’ to bring Indian Maritime Sector at the fore-front of the International Maritime Sector.

The organizer of the Joint Workshop, Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairperson Chennai Port Authority & Chairman Kamarajar Port Limited, commended the efforts of the Government of India in establishing closer ties with the Russian Federation and stated that the Eastern Maritime Corridor will not only reduce shipping cost and time but also provide new avenues for business growth. He added that while some commodities, such as Crude, Coal and LNG can immediately start shipping via EMC, others, viz. fertilizers, containerized cargo, require long-term commitment from both parties. He affirmed his commitment towards enabling dialogues between counties to operationalize Eastern Maritime Corridor.