The first ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue held in Chennai

Current Context: India hosted the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue on June 30–July 1, 2025, in Chennai, marking a major step in maritime diplomacy and regional tourism cooperation.

• Participants: Over 30 delegates from all 10 ASEAN nations and Timor Leste, along with Indian officials and industry leaders.
• Inaugurated by: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.

Objectives

• Strengthen cruise connectivity and maritime cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
• Promote sustainable tourism, heritage circuits, and people-to-people ties.
• Align with Sagarmala, Act East Policy, Viksit Bharat 2047, and ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Key Highlights

• Foundation stones laid for ₹67 crore projects at Chennai Port:
• ₹20 crore for cruise terminal expansion (3,000 passenger capacity by Oct 2025)
• ₹37 crore for paved storage yard
• ₹5 crore for Seafarers Club
• ₹5.25 crore to convert a 1920s hydraulic power house into a maritime museum

Chennai Port began acquiring its first electric Green Tug (60-ton bollard-pull).

India aims to professionalise 5,000 km of navigable waterways and reach 1 million cruise passengers annually by 2029.

Question:

Q.1 Where was the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue held in 2025?
a) Mumbai
b) Visakhapatnam
c) Chennai
d) Kochi

Answer: c) The ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue was held from June 30–July 1, 2025, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to boost cruise tourism and maritime diplomacy.