The Government of India is positioning the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a central hub in its growing Blue Economy strategy, with a focus on integrating ocean science, biotechnology, and sustainable livelihoods. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the plan during his visit to the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) at Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair.
During the visit, Dr. Singh launched pilot projects including open-sea cage fish culture and large-scale seaweed cultivation, aimed at boosting local employment and marine exports. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the Deep Ocean Mission from the Red Fort underscored India’s national commitment to harnessing marine resources as a future growth driver.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the Blue Economy would play a critical role in India’s trajectory toward becoming one of the world’s top economies, adding that the focus on ocean-based sectors aligns with the government’s inclusive development vision for island and coastal territories.
He also pointed to the role of biotechnology in sustainable marine innovation under the BioE3 policy, which targets the use of marine bio-resources for biodegradable materials, pharmaceuticals, and high-value products. The Minister called for greater involvement of local communities, particularly women and Self-Help Groups, to strengthen the “Vocal for Local” and “Local for Global” movements.
Dr. Singh concluded that with collaboration among institutions such as CSIR and NIOT, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands could emerge as a model for sustainable Blue Economy-led growth, fostering environmental and socioeconomic resilience.
