India Positions Itself as Key Voice in Global Ocean Governance at Second 'Blue Talks'
With less than a month to go for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, India on Tuesday hosted the Second Blue Talks, signalling its intent to take a leading role in shaping global ocean policy. Organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in partnership with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica, the event brought together scientists, diplomats, and stakeholders from multiple sectors to articulate India’s priorities for sustainable ocean development.
Held at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi, the talks were part of a global series of pre-UNOC consultations and served as a platform for India to consolidate its domestic initiatives under the umbrella of international cooperation. With the upcoming conference expected to set the tone for global ocean action under SDG 14 and the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement, India's engagement at this stage is being closely watched.
The event was chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and co-chaired by Costa Rican Ambassador Néstor Baltodano Vargas and Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy. Discussions focused on four key themes: marine ecosystem restoration, scientific cooperation, marine pollution, and the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus.
India used the occasion to unveil a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth”, which lays out a consolidated national framework for unlocking the potential of India’s marine resources. The report highlights the need for cross-ministerial coordination, private sector investment, and advanced marine technology to build what the paper calls a “resilient and inclusive” blue economy. It aligns closely with India’s broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and echoes themes raised during its G20 Presidency.
Significantly, the paper identifies current gaps in offshore wind infrastructure, deep-sea exploration, and data sharing across agencies. It also presents replicable models such as women-led seaweed farming, smart port development, and green ship recycling, positioning India as a laboratory for scalable, sustainable blue economy solutions.
“For India, the ocean is not only a resource but a space for regional diplomacy, climate action, and sustainable growth,” said Dr. Ravichandran, stressing the importance of building human and technological capital to meet future challenges.
Mr. Syed, representing France, welcomed India's growing engagement in global marine discussions, noting that the Blue Talks would inform deliberations at UNOC3, where issues like ocean finance, scientific cooperation, and the implementation of the BBNJ treaty will dominate the agenda.
India’s leadership at the Blue Talks also reflects its strategic maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific and signals a stronger role in international environmental diplomacy. As countries converge in France next month, New Delhi appears determined to not just participate in but shape the dialogue on the future of the world’s oceans.