India, Russia Sign Landmark Maritime Pacts to Boost Arctic Shipping, Shipbuilding and Trade Corridors

India and Russia on Thursday took a major leap in bilateral maritime ties by signing two path-breaking Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that will deepen cooperation in polar navigation training, shipbuilding, and strategic trade corridors linking the Indian Ocean with the Arctic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the agreements as a “new chapter” in the India–Russia partnership, stressing that enhanced maritime connectivity is now a top priority for both nations.

“We will inject fresh momentum into the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor,” the Prime Minister said. He welcomed the new collaboration on training Indian seafarers for polar and ice-covered waters, calling it a significant step that will not only expand India’s footprint in the Arctic but also generate high-skill employment for Indian youth.

“Cooperation in shipbuilding will further empower the Make in India initiative and create thousands of jobs and new capabilities. This is a perfect example of our win-win partnership,” PM Modi added.

Key Highlights of the Two MoUs:

1.   Polar Seafarer Training MoU : The agreement, fully aligned with the International STCW Convention and the Polar Code, will see joint development of specialised training programmes for navigation in extreme cold and ice conditions. Russian expertise will be combined with Indian institutions to prepare seafarers for Arctic routes, opening new career avenues for Indian mariners.

2.   Maritime Policy and Coordination MoU : Signed between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russia’s Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport, it establishes a permanent consultation mechanism on maritime safety, security, policy harmonisation, and the peaceful use of oceans in accordance with UNCLOS and other international laws.

The agreements will accelerate progress on three vital trade corridors:

- International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) : Expected to scale container traffic from the current 150,000 TEUs to nearly 5 million TEUs per year, giving India faster access to Russia and Central Asia via Iran.

- Northern Sea Route (NSR) : The emerging Arctic highway that drastically cuts shipping time between Asia and Europe; both sides have formed dedicated sub-groups for cargo movement and shipbuilding.

- Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor : Nearly 40 per cent shorter than the traditional Suez route to St. Petersburg, this corridor has already seen a sharp rise in cargo volumes in 2024–25, spurring investments in ports, railways, fertiliser plants, and LNG infrastructure in Russia’s Far East.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who was present at the signing ceremony, hailed the pacts as a transformative milestone under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

“These agreements will equip our youth with world-class skills for polar navigation, strengthen Make in India through joint shipbuilding, and create shorter, safer, and more resilient trade routes from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic. This is a future-ready partnership that will drive jobs, innovation, and shared prosperity,” the Minister said.

The new framework is widely seen as a strategic effort to diversify global supply chains, reduce dependence on traditional routes, and position India–Russia cooperation at the forefront of emerging Arctic commerce.