India, France agree on Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance

India and France have inked a roadmap to enhance their bilateral exchanges on the blue economy and ocean governance. Dr S Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to France, from February 20 to 22, 2022, to attend EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific scheduled for February 22. The agreement on ‘Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance’ was signed between India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar’s and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Both the countries agreed on this roadmap with the aim of contributing scientific knowledge and ocean conservation. They seek to ensure that the ocean remains a global common, on the basis of rule of law. This agreement was signed during three-day visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to France.Scope of the roadmap will encompass maritime trade, naval industry, marine technology, fisheries, scientific research, marine eco-tourism, inland waterways, integrated coastal management, and cooperation between competent administrations on civil maritime issues.

India-France on Blue Economy

• India and France seek to make blue economy a driver of progress in their respective societies, apart from respecting environment and coastal & marine biodiversity.
• They noted that, fisheries are a vital economic sector, playing a decisive role in food security and livelihood security, specifically for coastal populations.
• According to them, demographic, economic & societal factors have resulted into increased global demand for marine products and increasing stress on global fish stocks. Both the countries will make blue economy a priority in development of their economic exchanges.

What is Blue Economy?

• The concept of blue economy was introduced by Günter Pauli in his 2010 book titled “The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs”.
• Blue economy means sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, marine ecosystem health and better livelihoods and jobs.
• It provides for green ocean development strategies to preserve ocean health and high productivity.