About the Occasional Paper

This Occasional Paper analyses the evolving concept of the Blue Economy and its implications for India’s growth, sustainability, and maritime security. It traces the emergence of the ‘sustainable ocean-based economy’ in the UN framework, outlines the linkages with SDG-14, and surveys key global initiatives to balance economic gain with conservation of marine ecosystems. Through concise case studies of Bangladesh and Australia, the paper highlights opportunities and institutional gaps in coastal and marine governance. It then offers a detailed overview of India’s maritime potential—from fisheries, seabed minerals and ports to Sagarmala, Deep Ocean Mission and O-SMART—while underlining ecological stresses, regulatory deficits, and technology constraints. The authors conclude with policy recommendations on blue bonds, ocean governance, marine research, and capacity-building to enable India to harness its Blue Economy in a sustainable, inclusive, and strategically coherent manner.