Maritime Power through Blue Economy in the Indian context

Preface

At the outset, this monograph has sought to resolve the ambiguities in comprehending the oft-used phrase ‘maritime power’. It has established that constituents are those permanent attributes which make a country easier or harder to be at sea. On the other hand enablers of maritime power are its potentials. Thus, long coastline is a constituent and the fishing industry that spawns on the coast is an enabler.

The paper has then discussed the varied interpretations of Blue Economy, especially its preponderant bias towards the sea, under the aegis of initiatives steered by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In the Indian context such an outlook would be myopic due to an equally large water capital inland. In addition, Blue Economy also seeks to integrate social equity and environmental protection with economic development.