India must adopt holistic approach to Coastline to harness blue economy, boost security: Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi: Union Minister of State, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Friday that India’s coastline must be viewed as an interconnected space of ecology, security, economy, technology and human development.

India’s 11,000–12,000 km long coastline offers significant potential for marine resources and the “Blue Economy,” the minister said while addressing the National Conference on Coastal Ecology, Security and Sustainability (CCESS) 2026, according to an official statement.

The minister emphasised that coastal ecology and coastal security cannot be addressed in isolation, adding that technological capabilities need to be brought together through a holistic Coastal India approach, with the combined participation of the government and the wider nation.

He said that ocean observation, surveillance, communication, remote sensing, data and emerging technologies can play an important role in strengthening India's understanding of and preparedness for the coastal and marine environment.

Dr. Singh called for an integrated approach that combines scientific knowledge, environmental sustainability, security and economic development to make use of the blue economy's immense opportunities, the statement from Ministry of Earth Sciences said.

The minister highlighted the importance of the Deep Ocean Mission, adding that India is moving towards exploring the largely unexplored resources of the deep ocean while simultaneously building indigenous capabilities.

He noted that a totally indigenous research vessel, ORV Sagar Manthan, was launched recently, reflecting efforts towards self-reliance in deep-ocean research and exploration.

Dr. Singh said that robots and submersibles are being developed to explore the depths of the ocean. He also referred to the efforts to enhance India's capability for deep-sea exploration and said that the country's progress in this area would open up new possibilities for understanding and utilising marine resources.

The Minister linked deep-ocean exploration with India's emerging economic opportunities, saying that if the country is to take its economy to the next level, it will have to look towards resources that have not yet been fully explored. He identified marine and coastal resources, including metals, minerals and fisheries, as areas with significant potential.

Referring to research on black sulphite and minerals, he said that the possibility of extracting marine minerals in the future represents one of the areas being explored.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]