BLUE ECONOMY: A SEA OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR BHARAT
– by Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan
Vice-President of Bharat
The visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shriman Narendra Modiji, has ensured that Bharat’s growth story is always inclusive – Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas. In the last 25 years, he has touched the lives of crores of people, especially those belonging to the weaker and disadvantaged sections. Shriman Modiji’s approach to development has been exemplary. Referring to backward districts as Aspirational Districts, border villages as ‘Vibrant and First Villages’ and North-East as Ashtalakshmi reflects a transformative approach. This approach has transformed geographical marginalisation into empowerment, enabling active participation of people of various quarters in the journey towards Viksit Bharat. Initiatives such as PM-JANMAN, PM-JANDHAN, PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana, and other schemes reflect his commitment to inclusive development and social empowerment. 25 crore people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, marking a historic milestone not only in Bharat’s developmental journey but for the entire humanity. A day will surely come when entire world will be free from poverty and hunger.
Another major step in this direction towards ensuring inclusive growth has been our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shriman Narendra Modiji’s focus on the Blue Economy. In the 1960s, with the Green Revolution, we were able to tackle the problem of acute hunger. Bharat today ranks among the top global producers of rice, wheat, pulses, and millets, reinforcing its role in global food security. The White Revolution, which followed the Green Revolution, ended India’s chronic shortage of milk and dependence on imported dairy products. Bharat is now the world’s no. 1 milk-producing country, and because of this achievement protein deficiency has been drastically reduced especially among children
Now the Blue Revolution is going to be another success story. Nature has blessed our country abundantly with more than 11,000 kilometres of coastline. We have a rich maritime tradition. We have an Exclusive Economic Zone extending over nearly 24 lakh square kilometres. Bharat possesses a large amount of marine wealth. Yet much of this potential remained untapped for decades. Most of our fishing activity remained close to the shore. Today, we are ready to look beyond the horizon. The deep waters of our EEZ and the High Seas present immense opportunities for sustainable harvesting of high-value fish such as tuna.
In 2019, with the creation of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, for the first time the Fisheries Sector got a Ministry of its own under Shriman Modiji’s leadership. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shriman Narendra Modiji, had said that the blue chakra in our national flag represents the potential of the Blue Revolution – the Ocean Economy.
In the past decade, India’s fisheries and aqua-culture sector has truly emerged as a sunrise sector of our economy. Bharat is now the second largest fish-producing country in the world, contributing around 8 percent to global fish production. The sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 3 crore fishermen and fish farmers and contributes significantly to food security and nutrition in our country. India’s fish production reached more than 195 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, showing the remarkable strength of this sector.
Sustainable Fishing: An investment in the future of our country
I recently attended two events organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. One was the national launch programme for promoting sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the High Seas and providing letters of authorisation to the Indian flagged vessels, at Odisha and the fisheries outreach programme at the Lakshadweep Islands. In Odisha, I was pleased to inaugurate the initiative taken by our Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for promoting sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the High Seas. It reflected the collective resolve of the Union Government, the State Government, our institutions, and our fishing communities to move towards a new era of growth, sustainability and prosperity in marine fisheries. I firmly believe that every responsible fishing practice is an investment in the future of our country.
When I visited the Lakshadweep Islands last month on my first official visit as the Vice-President, I was extremely pleased to note that many fisheries development projects have been approved for Lakshadweep under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The Union Budget 2025-26 recognised the untapped potential of the deep waters of our EEZ and announced an enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the EEZ and the High Seas. This progressive framework enables our fishermen to venture confidently into these new frontiers. The High Seas now represent a new chapter in India’s maritime journey. Every great nation grows when its people dare to explore new possibilities.
I am particularly happy that the new framework places our fishermen at its very centre. The Fisheries Rules for the EEZ and the Guidelines for Fisheries in the High Seas in 2025 mark a new beginning for Mother Bharat. It gives priority to giving Letters of Authorisation to fisheries co-operatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and Indian fishermen. In a similar vein, Lakshadweep, which has a land area of about 32 square kilometres, has nearly 145 kilometres of coastline, a lagoon area of about 4,200 square kilometres, territorial waters extending over 20,000 square kilometres and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 4 lakh square kilometres. Lakshadweep alone accounts for nearly one-sixth of India’s EEZ. This is our true maritime strength, which sends out a powerful message. When individuals work alone, they do make progress, but when they work together as a team, they create a transformation.
Future of Blue Economy
India’s seafood today reaches more than 120 countries. During the last financial year alone, our exports touched an impressive figure of more than 73,000 crore rupees, which is an increase of over 140% since 2013-2014. The world has developed confidence and belief in the quality of Indian seafood. But I believe that our best achievements are yet to come. The High Seas initiative can contribute greatly to this export growth in many folds.
Digital authorisation systems, vessel tracking, international certification, and other steps will help Indian seafood command even greater respect in premium global markets. However, as we pursue growth, we must never forget our responsibility towards nature. The sea has nourished humanity for thousands of years. It is our sacred duty to preserve it for thousands of years to come. Sustainable fishing is a moral responsibility. The new Guidelines of the Ministry are a positive step in this direction. It rightly emphasises compliance with conservation measures and a firm stand against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Deep-sea and High Seas fisheries can create employment not only in harvesting, but also in processing, cold chain, transportation, packaging, logistics and export services. It can create opportunities for our youth. It can provide greater participation for women in processing and value addition. It can strengthen the economic life of coastal India.
As we are moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, we are committed to making the Blue Economy prosperous, inclusive and sustainable. In this journey of Blue Revolution, each sector has a job to do – our fishing communities will power India’s Blue Economy. I am glad that the Fisheries Ministry, under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shriman Narendra Modiji, is making significant strides towards a new era of growth, sustainability and prosperity through the Blue Revolution.
Viksit Bharat @ 2047 will be an inclusive India where every region and every section of the society participate in our economic growth journey. I urge the youth to view fishing not as an inherited occupation alone but as a modern profession driven by science, technology, innovation and global opportunity. I urge our institutions to continue supporting our fishing community with knowledge, technology and finance. So let us move forward with confidence; and together build a stronger coastal Mother Bharat.
Always in the service of Motherland!