Niti Aayog plans to turn nation into 'blue economy'

NEW DELHI: The Niti Aayog has started a consultation process for integrating defence and internal security with a 15-year vision and initiated a discussion to leverage India's status as a major maritime nation with a long coastline and the potential to become a significant `blue economy'.

The BJP government, for the first time, decided to include these subjects in the plan process to bring long-term planning element into these areas for better preparation.

Kick-starting the discussion on the subject, former Navy chief R K Dhowan elaborated on his ideas on a perspective plan for maritime aspects and Navy . Arguing that India has naturally been a maritime country with more than 7500km of coastline, above two million sq km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), more than 1300 islands and network of rivers, Dhowan asked to leverage this natural and strategic maritime advantage. He said maritime trade accounts for about 75 per cent value and more than 90 per cent of volume of Indian trade and the country is fortunate to enjoy a strategic location within the Indian Ocean Region.

Dhowan said the Indian ship-building industry, which is ranked 17th in the world, needs urgent attention as South Korea, China and Japan are way ahead. He said the ship-building industry faces various constraints such as inefficient tax structure and access related restrictions.

Another area highlighted by the former Navy chief was trans-shipment. He argued that fishing is another economic activity which has significant potential. Deep sea fishing is almost non-existent and urgent measures are needed to promote and develop it, he said. He also stressed on harnessing the potential of ocean thermal energy and deep-sea mining.

Dhowan said the Indian Navy has already prepared a comprehensive 15-year perspective plan which takes into account the capabilities envisaged to be built considering the need to effectively deal with potential threats, such asymmetric warfare.