India and Norway strengthen partnership on Blue Economy
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Economy
- Published
19th Feb, 2020
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Context
- India’s Minister for Earth Sciences and Norway’s Minister for Climate and Environment opened the India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development.
- The two countries also commenced a new collaboration on Integrated Ocean Management & Research.
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What is Blue Economy?
- The ‘Blue Economy’ is an emerging concept which encourages better stewardship of our ocean or ‘blue’ resources. The blue economy goes beyond viewing the ocean economy solely as a mechanism for economic growth.
- Similar to the ‘Green Economy’, the blue economy model aims for improvement of human wellbeing and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
- It provides for an inclusive model in which coastal states - which sometimes lack the capacity to manage their rich ocean resources - can begin to extend the benefit of those resources to all.
- The objective of the Blue Economy is to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and employment opportunities within the Indian Ocean region’s maritime economic activities.
- The Blue Economy is determined to initiate appropriate programs for: the sustainable harnessing of ocean resources; research and development; developing relevant sectors of oceanography; stock assessment of marine resources; introducing marine aquaculture, deep sea/long line fishing and biotechnology; and human resource development; among others.
- Blue economy in India is the sum total of economic activities sourced from marine resources. Fisheries, deep sea mining, and offshore oil and gas make up a large section of India’s blue economy.
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How are India and Norway relations?
- Ties between Norway and India have deep historical roots. Norway’s first Consulates in India opened in Kolkata and Mumbai in 1845 and 1857, respectively. In 1952, the “India fund” was established” with the aim to provide development assistance with a focus on fisheries.
- India is seeking to learn from Norway, a global leader in shipping and ocean management.
- A team of experts from National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) visited Norway to learn about integrated ocean management and green transformation in the shipping sector.
- India expressed its appreciation for Norway's support towards India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG).
- In December 2018, the Norwegian government launched a new ‘India Strategy’. The India Strategy outlines five thematic priorities:
- Democracy and a rules-based world order
- The oceans
- Energy
- Climate and Environment
- Research, higher education and global health
- The blue economy is an important part of Norway’s foreign and developmental policies. Internationally, Norway is in the forefront in oil, gas, shipping and offshore, along with major fisheries and aquaculture industries.
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Why is this important for India?
- As India’s maritime economy grows, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that economic activities do not degrade the environment. Norway offers several examples of successful policies for sustainable maritime development that can be adapted to Indian conditions.
- Norway is a world leader in integrated ocean management due to its close cultural and economic relationship with the sea.
- Norwegian waters are managed through Integrated Management Plans, which seek to balance the economic utilization with environmental conservation.
- Recently, Norwegian authorities also launched a Green Growth Strategy aiming to increase sustainability in maritime industries such as shipping.
- In the Norwegian strategy for cooperation with India, the oceans is one of five main pillars underpinning bilateral relations.
- Climate change, fisheries depletion, maritime pollution and ocean litter are examples of challenges both countries face. They are also examples of areas where there is great scope for cooperation.
Quick Recap
- Norway’s first Consulates in India opened in Kolkata and Mumbai in 1845 and 1857.
- In December 2018, the Norwegian government launched a new ‘India Strategy’.
- Green Growth Strategy—by Norway— to increase sustainability in maritime industries such as shipping.
- “India fund” was established in 2018 to provide development assistance with a focus on fisheries.
- Norway, country of northern Europe that occupies the western half of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
- The capital of Norway is Oslo.
- Norway is bordered by Sweden, Finland and Denmark and Atlantic Ocean.
