Vladivostok-Chennai Maritime Corridor: India and Russia boost strategic trade routes

India is preparing to send a high-level delegation to the Eastern Economic Forum (FEE), which will be held in Vladivostok from 3 to 6 September, aims to strengthen its presence in the resource-rich Far East region.

The visit is in line with India’s strategic interest in expanding maritime transport corridors and strengthening trade and investment ties with Russia. A Cabinet minister is expected to lead the delegation, which will focus on developing key infrastructure and trade routes. Here are the key highlights:

The Modi administration plans to send a Cabinet Minister to lead the delegation to the FEE, highlighting the importance of the forum in India’s strategic interests.

One of the main objectives is to advance discussions on the Vladivostok-Chennai Eastern Sea Corridor, which aims to connect India to the resource-rich Arctic region.

North-South international corridor prioritizes cooperation between Iran and Russia

India and Russia have recently signed agreements to boost trade, investment and shipbuilding projects, further strengthening their bilateral relations.

The visit will focus on enhancing cooperation in the Far East and Arctic regions, as agreed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin during their summit in July.

India plans to improve infrastructure in Chennai to handle increased trade volumes and facilitate the functioning of the Eastern Maritime Corridor.

India is developing a transshipment hub in the Bay of Bengal to support growing trade with Russia and other international partners.

The two nations are exploring a joint shipbuilding project to enhance maritime trade capabilities.

The visit is related to India’s strategic interest in expanding maritime transport corridors and strengthening trade and investment ties with Russia.

The recently signed Cooperation Programme covers trade, economic and investment activities in the Russian Far East and Arctic, establishing a framework for future collaboration.

The focus will be on optimising transport corridors, including the Chennai-Vladivostok route and the North-South International Transport Corridor, to improve logistics and movement of goods.

Both countries have committed to developing maritime routes through the Northern Sea Route, with plans to establish a joint working body within the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Technical and Economic Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).