New Delhi, Feb 01: Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh Wednesday said, the world today recognises India’s Blue Economy resources and the International Seabed Authority with headquarters in Jamaica has officially designated India as a “Pioneer Investor”.
The Minister said this when the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority, Michael W. Lodge, currently on India visit, called on him at Prithvi Bhawan.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the first time, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Blue Economy has been given high priority and the same is now being recognised globally.
Dr. Jitendra Singh extended a warm welcome to the delegation and said that India, with its 7500-kilometer-long coastal belt, is both a stakeholder as well as a contributor in exploring and utilizing sea resources.
He expressed happiness over India being designated in the category of ‘Pioneer investor’ having special interests, by the ISA.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the fact that India’s Deep-Sea Mission is one of the prime projects which has been undertaken by the Government of India under Prime Minister Modi.
He said that an amount of Rs 600 crore has been allocated for the Mission, which will bring to the fore India’s oceanic capabilities.
The Union Minister said that this sector is going to be a major contributor in the Indian economy in the times to come. The Minister also mentioned ambitious projects of Samudrayaan, which will put India amongst the elite list of countries who have achieved such a feat of exploring oceans so deep.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s vast maritime interests and noted that the Blue Economy in India has a vital relationship with the nation’s economic growth.
He stated that India is a strong proponent of the “Blue Growth” as a part of the long-term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors.
The minister also said that India is in the process of bringing out its own comprehensive Blue Economy policy framework, which aims at covering the coastal economy, tourism, marine fishery, technology, skill development, shipping, deep-sea mining, and capacity building in a holistic manner.
