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Andaman & Nicobar Islands to Emerge as Blue Economy Hub: Jitendra Singh

2026-01-19

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be developed as a major hub of India’s Blue Economy, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, said during his visit to the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI). The Minister launched and reviewed several marine technology initiatives aimed at strengthening ocean-based economic activity and improving livelihoods in the island territories.

Addressing scientists, officials and stakeholders, Dr Jitendra Singh said India’s future economic value addition will increasingly come from untapped marine resources as the country advances towards becoming one of the world’s leading economies. He underlined that the Government’s emphasis on the Blue Economy reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive development that integrates island territories and coastal regions with the national growth story.

The programme was held at ACOSTI, a unit of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, at Dollygunj in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). It was attended by Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, senior officials of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, scientists from NIOT and other institutions, and representatives from local departments and Self-Help Groups.

The Minister highlighted that sustained parliamentary advocacy has ensured national focus on island development, noting that since 2014, island territories and the North Eastern region have received unprecedented attention in terms of policy, scientific engagement and administrative outreach. Referring to the Deep Ocean Mission, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Prime Minister’s repeated announcements from the Red Fort underscored India’s long-term commitment to the Blue Economy as a driver of growth, employment and sustainability.

Key initiatives showcased during the programme included pilot-scale open sea cage culture of marine fish and large-scale seaweed cultivation. The Minister expressed satisfaction over successful technology transfer and said the Andaman & Nicobar region, with its unique marine biodiversity and coastal characteristics, is ideally suited for such projects.

Dr Jitendra Singh also emphasised the convergence of biotechnology and ocean sciences, highlighting India’s BioE3 policy and the potential of marine bio-resources in developing biodegradable alternatives, new medicinal compounds and high-value bio-products. He further stressed the importance of women’s participation and Self-Help Groups to strengthen livelihoods while advancing the “Vocal for Local” and “Local for Global” vision.

Concluding, the Minister said that with institutional collaboration and sustained government support, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can emerge as a key centre for India’s Blue Economy, delivering long-term scientific, environmental and socio-economic benefits.

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