India and Russia will collaborate to explore the potential of utilising emerging transport corridors, including the Northern Sea Route and the Eastern Maritime Corridor connecting Vladivostok and Chennai. This endeavour aims to enhance maritime cooperation and broaden the scope of their partnership.
During a meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 13, 2023, India’s Ports, Shipping, and Waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Russia’s Development of the Far East and Arctic minister A.O. Chekunkov made a decision to collaborate on this endeavour.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was participating in the eighth Eastern Economic Forum meeting being held in Russia’s far eastern city Vladivostok from September 10-13.
The Eastern Maritime Corridor
The Eastern Maritime Corridor is set to significantly speed up cargo transport between India and Russia’s Far East Ports. It’s projected to cut the journey time down by up to 16 days. With this change, cargo could reach from India to Russia in 24 days. This is a major improvement, as it currently takes over 40 days to ship goods from India to Far East Russia via Europe.
The present shipping route from Mumbai, India to St Petersburg, Russia is 8,675 nautical miles long. Ships typically take 35 to 40 days to navigate this route. In comparison, the sea route from Chennai to Vladivostok is about 5,600 nautical miles.
A big cargo ship usually sails at a speed of 20-25 knots, or 37-46 km per hour. This speed allows the ship to travel a certain distance in about 10 to 12 days. The route presents a great chance for expanding trade and fostering collaboration.
Significance Of The Move
Recently, India officially declared its plan to establish an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This move, announced at the recent G20 summit, is aimed at strengthening connectivity ties with Gulf and European countries. Now, India’s efforts are shifting towards enhancing connections with Russia’s Far East and Arctic Region.
The proposed sea link between Vladivostok and Chennai is seen as a rival to China’s Maritime Silk Route (MSR). The MSR is a part of China’s One Belt One Road project. It is China’s strategic plan to govern the Asia-Africa sea route by setting it up directly.
The shipping route from Vladivostok to Chennai may pass through the South China Sea. This sea has become a focus of international geostrategy, due to China’s assertion of exclusive control over it. This oceanic zone in the Pacific Ocean is rich in resources. However, this claim by China is contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
An alternative scenario could see the Vladivostok-Chennai link extending the existing India-Japan Pacific to Indian Ocean Corridor. This possibility is viewed by China as a counter to its maritime OBOR strategy in the region.
Northern Sea Route
Increased shipping activity is evident on the Northern Sea Route near Russia’s Arctic Region. The rise in global warming has thawed formerly frozen routes, making them accessible for most of the year.
The Arctic Region in Russia is rich in hydrocarbons. However, these reserves have not yet been fully explored.
Vladivostok
Vladivostok is Russia’s biggest port on the Pacific Ocean. It’s located near the China-Russia border, just about 50 kilometres away.
As the principal city and administrative hub of Primorsky Krai, Vladivostok sits in the far east of Russia. The city is situated around the Golden Horn Bay on the Sea of Japan. It spans 331.16 square kilometres (127.86 square miles) and houses a population of 600,871 people as recorded in 2021.
Vladivostok is the second-biggest city in the Far Eastern Federal District and the Russian Far East, next to Khabarovsk. The China-Russia border is roughly 45 kilometres (28 miles) from the city.
Eastern Economic Forum
The Eastern Economic Forum is a major global venue for creating and building relationships within both Russian and global investment circles. It offers a comprehensive expert assessment of the economic potential and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East, and the business environment in its special economic zones.
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, established the forum in 2015. The aim was to boost the economic development of Russia’s Far East and promote international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
The primary goal of the forum is to attract investment and stimulate growth in the Russian Far East. This region spans from Lake Baikal, the world’s largest and deepest freshwater lake, to the Pacific Ocean.
Russia’s Far East
The Russian Far East is an area abundant with resources, despite its harsh climate. It has reserves of oil, natural gas, timber, gold, and diamonds, among other assets. India has a need for all these resources. An active connection between Vladivostok and Chennai could help India balance its relations with China.
India’s involvement in this region is currently fairly concentrated. The key areas of focus are Irkutsk and Sakhalin. Irkutsk is known for the construction of MiG and Sukhoi fighter planes. Meanwhile, Sakhalin has seen significant investments from ONGC Videsh, exceeding $6 billion, dedicated to oil and gas exploration.
This region is located in the chilly climate of Siberia. Notably, it borders China, Mongolia, North Korea, and has maritime borders with Japan. In terms of area, it could be the eighth largest, just behind India. It’s the fourth least densely populated place. Both the US and China vie for influence here.
Understanding its strategic importance, India opened a consulate in Vladivostok in 1992, being the first country to do so. In 2019, India’s Prime Minister Modi was the honoured guest at the Eastern Economic Forum.
PM Modi declared that $1 billion has been set aside as a credit line for regional development. He made this announcement during his visit to Russia in 2019. In addition, India and Russia consented to establish a sea route.