Blue economy to be the new engine of India’s growth: Jitendra Singh at IISF
Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Monday said India’s blue economy has the potential to become a major engine of national growth, contributing to energy security, food systems, and strategic capabilities.
Speaking at a session titled “Blue Economy, Oceans, Poles, Earth and Ecology – Sagarika, the Tale of Earth Sciences” during the India International Science Festival, he noted that India’s oceans remain a largely untapped asset despite the country’s 11,000-km coastline and an exclusive economic zone of over 2.37 million sq km. He highlighted that nearly 60 per cent of India’s landmass-equivalent area lies in the ocean, yet its economic contribution remains modest. Singh said the Deep Ocean Mission will help institutionalise ocean research and unlock resources ranging from minerals and metals to fisheries and marine biodiversity, while strengthening the clean-energy transition through offshore wind, ocean-based solar, tidal, wave and thermal energy.
Singh also underlined the urgent need to address emerging climate and environmental challenges, including coastal erosion, marine heat waves, cyclones, pollution and marine litter. He stressed that scientific mapping, advanced technology and greater private-sector involvement will be central to sustainable ocean management. The Minister added that the blue economy carries strategic implications as well, with opportunities in marine transport, deep-sea mining, biotechnology and the discovery of new pharmaceutical compounds. Senior officials, including the Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology and the Chief Secretary of Haryana, participated in the panel discussion, emphasising coordinated action between government, research institutions and industry.
Additionally, Singh urged collective responsibility in exploring ocean resources, stating that today’s choices will shape India’s economic and ecological future.
