Indian Council of World Affairs

Abstract: The shifting global dynamics make it imperative for India to identify new and alternative routes of connectivity. As India expands its international footprint, new lines of connectivity present an opportunity to strengthen relations with existing partners and engage with others as well. This paper examines the potential for new connectivity routes between India and Russia, highlighting the necessity for India to explore alternative routes by cartographic analysis. 

Image One: Cartographic Picture of Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Route.

[SOURCE: Author’s Own created on Google Earth Pro]

India and Russia are linked by both sea and land routes. For example, the International North-South Corridor (INSTC) connects India with Russia, Central Asia, and Iran through a combination of both land and sea; meanwhile, the sea route from Chennai to Vladivostok primarily links India’s East coast with the Russian Far East. While both these routes are seen to be economically viable, India could explore alternative routes that can create additional opportunities for engagement not just with Russia but with the other littoral states. These routes will be offering alternative access to markets and fostering deeper economic engagement. Diversifying trade routes enhances flexibility and mitigates the impact of disruptions that can arise from geopolitical tensions, accidents, and natural disasters while adhering to the international rule-based order. India also needs to find solutions to the threat of blockages or shipping restrictions in the disputed South China Sea (SCS) due to the intensifying assertiveness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Rising tensions could lead to disruptions in the movement of trade in the sea lanes of communication in the region [I].

The Alternative Sea Routes and their Advantages:-

Image Two: Cartographic Picture of India-Russia Eastern Coastal Connectivity Routes.

[SOURCE: Author’s Own created on Google Earth Pro]

There are several advantages for India to explore alternative routes, especially from Chennai, via Galathea, to Vladivostok and other Russia’s Far Eastern ports, and also bolsters its foreign relations. First, on the domestic front, geographically located on the eastern coast, the ports in Chennai, Kochi, Vizag, and Haldia are bigger, with some even functioning as shipbuilding locations.  

Added to this, the Great Nicobar Island aims to transform hub port for international trade [II]. The development of the new economic base will depend heavily on investment in catalytic infrastructure facilities, including an International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) (Galathea Bay Port), Greenfield International Airport, and more. A new Township will link the infrastructure facilities to complete the physical framework of the new city. The proposed port will allow Great Nicobar to participate in the regional and global maritime economy [III]. The development will not only be beneficial for the island’s economy, but will also enhance India’s position in the eastern Indian Ocean Region.

From a geostrategic and geoeconomic perspective, Galathea Bay ports (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) can become a hub for other multimodal connectivity like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) and those assigned under BIMSTEC [IV]. The Southeast Asia region is a key emerging economic zone in the Indo-Pacific region. Apart from other resources and the economic drivers, this region also has significant Rare Earth Elements in its EEZs [V]; REE can become another area for economic engagement between India and Southeast Asia.

This new route will circumvent the SCS; rather, it will cover the western Pacific Ocean and the Celebes Sea (south of the Philippines), which are well known for their marine biodiversity and mineral deposits, such as Manganese, Cobalt, Iron, and the Rare Earth Elements or REEs [VI] [VII]. India could partner with regional countries to explore research in marine ecosystems and seabed mining. Linking with the same motive, Russia’s Far East is natural resources rich including REEs, that can address India’s requirement as well as ease New Delhi’s dependency on China for the same. It is to be noted that India has already been working in this direction [VIII]. The Russian government itself had claimed about the different types and abundance of REEs in this region earlier this year [IX]. With the changing geoeconomic dynamics and demands of the REEs, Russia’s Far East region certainly holds a strong weightage.

Conclusion: The proposed new route from India to Russia’s Far East will serve multiple purposes to ensure the fulfillment of India’s national interests. The route would also strengthen the deep-rooted relationship between India and Southeast Asia, will leverage the economic competencies of the western Pacific region, and more. Conducting seafloor and seabed expeditions can also benefit marine environment research and help shape policies for the well-being of aquatic life. Such a trade route would be highly advantageous in supporting relations with longstanding partners and establishing new collaborations, while also addressing global common issues and working for humankind.

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*Swetang Choubey, Research Intern, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. 

Endnotes

[I]. CFR on- “Territorial disputes in South China Sea” available at: https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/territorial-disputes-south-china-sea

[II]. Energy Economic Times on- “holistic development of the Nicobar islands” available at: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/an-islands-to-have-public-hearing-for-rs-72k-cr-project-environmentalist-cries-foul/88550559

[III]. AECOM India Private Ltd.- Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island at Andaman Pre-Feasibility Report March 2021 available at: https://environmentclearance.nic.in/DownloadPfdFile.aspx?FileName=fg7xmKEWwhaZLSqjiF3GAQwWBxq9FYi8xjemfmi+L+fUHEb6BwvC1ZLRYXfJF5feDznQxwlGivy8CUTMhfdvQxoChC4/DG7U5+hHDYQvCqU=&FilePath=93ZZBm8LWEXfg+HAlQix2fE2t8z/pgnoBhDlYdZCxzWF1OLE6RXe5MiAhSH8vdQ1 

[IV]. ORF on- “The BIMSTEC master plan for transport connectivity” available at: https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-bimstec-master-plan-for-transport-connectivity-a-stocktaking

[V]. East Asia Forum on- “Indonesia’s critical minerals strategy needs critical ambitions” available at: https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/07/20/indonesias-critical-minerals-strategy-needs-critical-ambition/

[VI]. NOAA on- “Deep-Sea Mining Interests and Activities in the Western Pacific” https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1606/background/mining/welcome.html

[VII]. ScienceDirect on- “Manganese, Cerium and Iron in the Sulu, Celebes and Philippines Seas” available at:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064506002943#bib35

[VIII]. Ishita, “Natural Resources From Russia’s Far East to Fuel India’s Growth - IndBiz | Economic Diplomacy Division,” IndBiz | Economic Diplomacy Division, January 16, 2024, https://indbiz.gov.in/natural-resources-from-russias-far-east-to-fuel-indias-growth/

[IX]. IZ.RU, “The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation Reported the Total Reserves of 29 Types of Rare Earth Metals at 658 Million Tons.,” Известия, February 25, 2025, https://en.iz.ru/en/1844873/2025-02-25/ministry-natural-resources-russian-federation-reported-total-reserves-29-types-rare-earth-metals-658