India & Russia Deepen Maritime Ties to Boost Arctic Trade and Strategic Shipping Corridors

Recently, India and Russia took a significant step forward in their maritime cooperation by signing multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at expanding collaboration in Arctic-related trade, navigation, and strategic shipping corridors.

This was a part of multiple agreement signed between the two countries during the visit of Russian president to India on 4th and 5th December 2025 on occasion of 23rd India-Russia annual summit. In this blog we will discuss on the maritime agreements.

Key Maritime Agreements Signed

1. Polar Navigation and Training Cooperation

India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russia’s Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport signed an MoU to develop specialized polar navigation training programs for Indian seafarers. This initiative aims to prepare Indian mariners for operations in harsh and cold Arctic conditions and open further opportunities in emerging Arctic shipping routes.

2. Maritime Policy Coordination and Safety

A second MoU was signed for creation of a permanent mechanism for policy coordination, focusing on maritime safety, security, and consultation under internationally recognized frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This pact enhances India–Russia cooperation on broader maritime governance.

3. Strategic Shipping Corridors discussed

Below three routes were the major routes discussed

a. International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

A multimodal route linking India with Russia and Central Asia, the INSTC is planned to boost container traffic from roughly 150,000 TEUs to a potential volume of 5 million TEU on annual basis.  thereby significantly enhancing freight connectivity between South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.

b. Northern Sea Route (NSR)

The NSR is an Arctic passage that can considerably reduce shipping times between Asia and Europe compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal. India and Russia are establishing dedicated working groups to focus on cargo movement and shipbuilding along this route. We have mentioned the details of NSR in our earlier blog.

c. Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor

This corridor offers a shorter maritime link between India’s east coast and Russia’s Far East — nearly 40% shorter than the Suez route — and has already seen rising cargo volumes between 2024 and 2025. New services have also started on this route.

Russia and India, both have been time tested friends and above agreement will support to increase their trade further.