Context: Recently, India and France agreed on a Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance.

• Both have vast exclusive economic zones, and their fate is inextricably linked to the sea and the ocean.

Objective

• The objective of this road map is to enhance partnership for the exploitation and preservation of marine resources through economic, infrastructure and scientific cooperation.
• Both countries intend to make blue economy a driver of progress of their respective societies while respecting the environment and coastal and marine biodiversity.

Pillars of Blue Economy road map
The road map has following pillars

• Setting up an India-France partnership on the blue economy and ocean governance.
• Forging a common vision of ocean governance based on the rule of law.
• Making the blue economy a source of sustainable growth.
• Cooperating on sustainable and resilient coastal and waterways infrastructure.
• Better knowledge of the ocean to innovate and protect
• France is among India's closest strategic partners in Europe.

About Blue Economy

• The "blue economy" concept seeks to promote economic growth, social inclusion, and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas.

India and Blue Economy

• With a coastline of nearly 7.5 thousand kilometers, India has a unique maritime position. Nine of its 29 states are coastal, and the nation's geography includes 1,382 islands.
• There are nearly 199 ports, including 12 major ports that handle approximately 1,400 million tons of cargo each year.
• Moreover, India's Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million square kilometers has a bounty of living and non-living resources with significant recoverable resources such as crude oil and natural gas.
• India aims to target over 100 billion "Blue Economy" through its Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) and ocean resources.

The draft blue economy policy framework of India recognizes the following seven thematic areas.

1. National accounting framework for the blue economy and ocean governance. 
2. Coastal marine spatial planning and tourism. 
3. Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing. 
4. Manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services, and skill development. 
5. Logistics, infrastructure and shipping, including trans-shipments. 
6. Coastal and deep-sea mining and offshore energy. 
7. Security, strategic dimensions, and international engagement.

By: Shubham Tiwari