Context:
- India is increasingly advocating a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Blue Economy framework for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Editorial highlights India’s potential leadership role in transforming the Indian Ocean into a global laboratory for ocean sustainability, aligned with climate goals and cooperative security.
- Recent global platforms such as the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), Monaco (June 2025) and COP30, Belém have reinforced financial and institutional momentum for ocean governance.
Key Highlights:
Global Initiatives and Financial Commitments
- BEFF, Monaco (2025):
- Highlighted a €25 billion pipeline of existing ocean investments.
- Announced €8.7 billion in new commitments for sustainable ocean projects.
- One Ocean Partnership (launched at COP30, Belém):
- Commitment to mobilize $20 billion by 2030 for global ocean action.
India’s Strategic Vision
- SAGAR Doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region):
- Anchors India’s vision of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
- Emphasis on cooperative, consultative, and outcome-oriented engagement with IOR littoral states.
Priority Areas for a Sustainable Blue Economy
- Ecosystem restoration and biodiversity protection, especially coral reefs.
- Sustainable fisheries management to counter Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- Promotion of green shipping, offshore renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, and marine biotechnology as climate-compatible growth pathways.
Institutional and Financial Innovations
- Proposal for an Indian Ocean Blue Fund, seeded by India, to channel global finance into regional sustainability priorities.
- Establishment of a Regional Resilience and Ocean Innovation Hub to:
- Strengthen ocean observation networks.
- Improve early warning systems for climate and disaster risks.
Legal and Normative Leadership
- India’s readiness to ratify the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) provides an opportunity to pioneer globally relevant ocean governance solutions.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Unsustainable exploitation of ocean resources in the Indian Ocean.
- Causes: Climate change, overfishing, weak governance, IUU fishing, coral degradation.
- Government Initiatives:
- SAGAR doctrine, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), support for UNCLOS.
- Benefits:
- Economic growth, food security, climate resilience, regional stability.
- Challenges:
- Financing gaps, geopolitical competition, weak regional coordination.
- Impact:
- Positions India as a norm-setter in ocean sustainability and maritime governance.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Key Concepts:
- Blue Economy: Sustainable use of ocean resources for growth while preserving marine ecosystems.
- UNCLOS: Legal framework governing maritime zones and activities.
- BBNJ Agreement: Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
- Strategic Significance:
- Indian Ocean as a hub for global trade, energy flows, and climate regulation.
- Way Forward:
- Lead regional coalitions for ocean sustainability.
- Mobilize blended finance through an Indian Ocean Blue Fund.
- Integrate security with sustainability to address ecological and non-traditional threats.
- Enhance capacity-building and technology transfer among IOR states.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 2: International Relations, Global Governance, Regional Cooperation
- GS 3: Environment & Ecology, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development