Namaskaar! Good Morning!

 

Hon’ble Deputy Minister, Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, Mr Bobrakov; Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri T.K. Ramachandran ji; Delegates, Officials and Business leaders from the Russian Federation, Our host for this workshop - Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority and Chairman Kamarajar Port Limited, Shri Sunil Paliwal ji, Officials from the Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu, our esteemed industry stakeholders; Ladies and Gentlemen

 

I am pleased to welcome you all to this first Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor workshop.

 

At the outset, I would like to welcome the Russian delegation, led by Mr Bobrakov, Deputy Minister for the Far East & Arctic, to Chennai.

 

The ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between our two countries continues to serve as the foundation of the cooperation between India and Russia.

 

The joint endeavor to revive the ‘Eastern Maritime Corridor’ is an example of the “Special” and “Privileged” nature of our partnership.

 

The India-Russia partnership is strong and steady, building upon strategic convergences, geopolitical interests, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi ji remains engaged with President Putin through telephone conversations, with the last discussion having taken place earlier this month, on 15 January 2023.

 

India and Russia also continue to interact at Ministerial, Official, and other levels. Most recently, India’s External Affairs Minister had a very successful visit to Russia in December 2023, where he held meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called on President Putin. 

 

Our bilateral partnership has expanded to become truly multifaceted, and encompasses cooperation in the political, strategic, economic, energy, military, security, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian spheres.

 

Further deepening and diversifying our trade and economic ties have been identified as a priority area by the leadership of our countries. Our bilateral trade has registered rapid growth in the last financial year and amounted to 50 Billion US Dollars, and it is likely to be even more this year.

 

Friends, in this setting, enhancing connectivity between our two great sea-faring nations assumes great significance.

 

This visit to Chennai by the Russian delegation led by Deputy Minister Mr. Bobrakov is a positive step towards building greater economic cooperation between our nations.

 

I fondly recall my visit to Vladivostok last year to participate in the 8^th Eastern Economic Forum. During my meeting with Mr. Alexei Chekunkov, the Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, we first envisaged this workshop.

 

I am pleased to note that the team at Chennai Port Authority delivered and organized it. My congratulations to the team… both from India and Russia for making it possible. 

 

The Eastern Maritime Corridor….a Sea Link between Ports on the East Coast of India and Ports in the Far East Region of Russia…. promises immense potential to unlock new trade opportunities for trade, thereby fostering mutual economic prosperity and resilience.

 

A big advantage of this corridor is the significant reduction in time required to transport cargo between India and Far East Russia…. by up to 16 days, from 40 to 24 days, and a significant reduction of the distance by upto 40%.

 

Presently, the distance between Mumbai Port and the Port of St. Petersburg, Russia by the Western Sea Route via Suez Canal, is 8,675 Nautical Miles or 16,066 Kms, whereas the distance from Chennai Port to Vladivostok Port via the Eastern Maritime Corridor is only 5,647 Nautical Miles or 10,458 Kms.

 

There is a clear-cut saving of 5,608 Kms in distance via Eastern Maritime Corridor as compared to the Western Sea Route which amounts to saving of almost 16 days of Travel Time. This will help in reducing logistic cost immensely, apart from hugely boosting efficiency in transportation of cargo between the two countries.

 

The saving of time and fuel will enhance the viability of the Corridor and open newer trade opportunities between our nations. 

 

As found in our feasibility study, the Corridor already holds great potential for trade in commodities such as Coking Coal, Oil, Fertilizers, Containers and Liquefied Natural Gas.

 

Today's workshop sees the participation of Regulators, Policy Makers, and Industry leaders from both nations….to discuss, collaborate and form strategic alliances and explore the potential of the proposed Eastern Maritime Corridor's.

 

Friends, the Chennai – Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, along with the India-Russia partnership for the development of the Northern Sea Route, and the full operationalization of the International North-South Transport Corridor, will be a game changer for our thriving trade and people-to-people connect.

 

I am also optimistic of the many prospects for deepening our bilateral maritime cooperation, particularly in the two countries' maritime skill development and training, shipbuilding and port-based clean energy investments.

 

I am confident that Indian seafarers will be equipped in Russia with the necessary trainings to undertake polar voyages for Arctic shipping. We may also see Russian icebreakers being built at Indian shipyards. These are encouraging possibilities of India-Russia Maritime Partnership.

 

Today’s workshop reflects our joint commitment to operationalizing the Eastern Maritime Corridor. I look forward to the presentations and discussions that will be held.

 

I am also happy to note that the Russian Delegation will have the opportunity to visit the Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and nearby Industrial Clusters to witness the infrastructure facilities and explore trade partnerships and strategic alliances.

 

I do hope the Deputy Minister and our visiting delegates find some time to take a walk on the Marina Beach or explore the ancient temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.

 

Once again, I welcome Deputy Minister Mr. Bobrakov and the Russian delegation to Chennai and extend my best wishes to all for a successful Workshop.

 

Thank you! Jai Hind!

 

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