India's 11,000-12,000 km long coastal area offers significant opportunities for economic development through a comprehensive blue economy approach, according to Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh. Speaking at the National Conference on Coastal Ecology, Security and Sustainability (CCESS) 2026, Singh emphasized that the country's extensive marine ecosystem requires an integrated approach combining scientific knowledge, environmental sustainability, security and economic development. The Minister highlighted that India's historical association with the ocean reflects the knowledge and understanding of marine environments possessed by its ancestors, positioning the country for future maritime opportunities.
India is advancing its deep-ocean exploration capabilities through the Deep Ocean Mission, with the recent launch of a totally indigenous research vessel ORV Sagar Manthan, reflecting efforts towards self-reliance in deep-ocean research and exploration. As reported by Jammu Links News, Singh noted that robots and submersibles are being developed to explore the depths of the ocean, with the country's progress in deep-sea exploration opening up new possibilities for understanding and utilising marine resources. The Minister linked deep-ocean exploration with India's emerging economic opportunities, identifying marine and coastal resources, including metals, minerals and fisheries, as areas with significant potential for contributing to the country's economic development while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The Minister outlined a holistic Coastal Bharat approach that emphasizes environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, scientific capability and coastal security must reinforce one another. According to Jammu Links News, Singh said that coastal communities are an integral part of the wider coastal ecosystem, with efforts to expand the economic potential of coastal resources focusing on improving the livelihoods of communities living along the coast while ensuring protection of the environment. The campaign would continue this year from 12 September to 19 September, with activities including clean-up drives and participation of NGOs and organisations, adding a citizen-participation component to the initiative.
The government is implementing a multidisciplinary approach involving earth sciences, academia, defence, maritime institutions, legal experts, industry and coastal stakeholders to address coastal challenges. As reported by Jammu Links News, Singh emphasized that coastal ecology and coastal security cannot be addressed in isolation, requiring resilient coastal regions with healthy marine ecosystems, informed communities, effective governance and strong scientific capabilities. The Minister highlighted the importance of connecting ocean science with national policy, so that scientific knowledge can contribute directly to coastal planning and management, moving away from working in separate domains towards an integrated framework that converts scientific knowledge into practical action for a secure, sustainable and prosperous coastal future.
