“Blue Economy 2.0” expands beyond fisheries to include deep-sea exploration, modern ports, and sustainable technologies
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India’s Blue Economy is central to its growth, combining prosperity, sustainability, and national strength. He pointed to initiatives such as Sagarmala, Deep Ocean Mission, and Harit Sagar Guidelines, which are harnessing ocean resources to empower communities, drive innovation, and strengthen India’s role in global ocean governance.
The Prime Minister was responding to an article by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh. The article highlighted India’s 11,098-km coastline and 2.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone, calling it a foundation to build a $100 billion growth engine. Singh said “Blue Economy 2.0” is focusing not only on traditional areas like fisheries but also on new sectors such as deep-sea exploration, modern ports, and sustainable technologies.
Singh added that the Deep Ocean Mission, through the Matsya submersible, is helping India explore deep-sea resources, while Sagarmala is modernising ports to boost competitiveness. For coastal communities, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is spearheading a “Blue Revolution” in fisheries.
Launched in 2020, PMMSY has made India the world’s second-largest fish producer. Fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019–20 to 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, contributing nearly 8% of global output. Fisheries exports grew from ₹46,662 crore in 2019–20 to over ₹60,524 crore in 2023–24. The scheme has also created 58 lakh jobs and empowered nearly one lakh women with financial assistance worth ₹4,061 crore.
Singh emphasized women’s role in sustainable sectors like seaweed farming and eco-tourism, linking the Blue Economy to both community empowerment and environmental protection.
