Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has extended an invitation for an Indo-Russian Workshop on the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) in Vladivostok, Russia.
What is the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)?
The Eastern Maritime Corridor is a proposed sea route between Chennai, India, and Vladivostok, Russia, passing through the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, and the Malacca Strait.
Benefits for India include:
- Significant time reduction: It shortens the transportation time by up to 16 days, making it more efficient.
- Presence in Southeast Asia: Chennai Port’s strategic location opens trade opportunities with Southeast Asian nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- Access to Russia’s Far East: Vladivostok Port provides access to resource-rich regions, offering opportunities in sectors like energy, mining, and technology for Indian businesses.
This initiative follows a Memorandum of Intent on the development of maritime communications exchanged between Vladivostok and Chennai in 2019.