Pune: The MEA-PIC Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025 concluded with a thought-provoking session on ‘Blue Economy in India’s Extended Neighbourhood’, emphasizing the sustainable utilization of ocean resources in alignment with the UN Decade on Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
Dr. Manasi Singh, Assistant Professor at the School of National Security Studies, Central University of Gujarat (CUG), chaired the session. The distinguished panel included:
Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe, Research Director, Verite Research, Sri Lanka
Puneet Agrawal, Additional Secretary (Indian Ocean Region), MEA, India
Dr. (Cdr.) Arnab Das, Founder & Director, Maritime Research Centre (MRC), Pune
Greg Johannes, Chair, Blue Economy Cooperative Research, Australia
Reframing Ocean Management: From Extraction to Development
Chairing the discussion, Dr. Manasi Singh stressed that oceans must be viewed as development spaces rather than just extractive resources. She emphasized the need to integrate marine health, biodiversity conservation, and social inclusion into economic and policy frameworks.
India’s Expanding Blue Diplomacy & Maritime Security
Puneet Agrawal highlighted India’s growing maritime engagement, stating that the country is strengthening domain awareness, providing assets for effective monitoring, and fostering sustainable marine resource development. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SAGAR Vision (2015) as a cornerstone of India’s maritime strategy. He also pointed to initiatives such as the Colombo Security Conclave and the International Solar Alliance, which enhance regional cooperation in ocean governance and security.
Exploring Opportunities Beneath the Surface
Dr. (Cdr.) Arnab Das highlighted the vast potential of underwater ecosystems, noting that while 75% of Earth is covered by water, 90% of its resources, challenges, and opportunities remain unexplored beneath the surface. He emphasized the role of underwater domain awareness (UDA), AI, and digital technologies in tackling issues like deep-sea mining, illegal fishing, and climate-driven oceanic shifts. He called for localized, ecosystem-specific solutions tailored to India’s tropical marine environment.
The Need for Transparent Regulations to Boost Investment
Discussing economic and governance challenges, Greg Johannes and Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe stressed the need for clear regulatory frameworks to facilitate blue economy investments.
Johannes noted that 85% of Australia’s population lives near the ocean, making offshore resources a crucial aspect of energy transition. He pointed to offshore wind power as a potential solution for reducing Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels, calling for policy measures to integrate renewable energy within maritime governance.
Ms. Abeysinghe addressed the geopolitical complexities surrounding maritime infrastructure, particularly in South Asia. She noted that ports are increasingly seen as dual-purpose assets—serving both commercial and strategic military functions. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s maritime tourism, fisheries, and offshore energy sectors, she called for international collaboration to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and unlock offshore energy resources in the Gulf of Mannar.
