Context
Recently, India and Norway reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in marine planning, Arctic studies, and the Blue Economy at the Monaco Marine Conference (MCC).
Key Highlights
- Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): India targets to scale Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) across its coastline reinforcing its leadership in sustainable ocean control.
- MSP is a technological knowledge- based framework for optimizing ocean resources, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring coastal livelihoods, under the Indo-Norwegian Integrated Ocean and Research Initiative.
- It has already yielded visible effects, especially through pilot projects in Pondicherry and Lakshadweep.
- India-Norway Marine Pact: Both countries emphasized the significance of joint studies in polar sciences and ocean sustainability.
- Strengthening bilateral cooperation in marine planning, Arctic research, and ocean sustainability.
- Norway, with 70% of its exports originating from its maritime sector, is a recognized expert in the Ocean Economy.
- SAHAV Portal: It is a GIS-based choice support system, recognized as a Digital Public Good.
- It was added to mark World Ocean Day (i.e. 8th June).
India-Norway Relations
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- About: India and Norway have maintained a cordial and friendly relationship since 1947, constructed on shared values like democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
- Political and Diplomatic Engagement:
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- 2014: It strengthened cooperation in Earth Sciences, Culture, Defence, and Scientific Research.
- 2019: It led to the signing of the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue, reinforcing maritime collaboration.
- India-Nordic Summit (2022): It targeted the blue economic system, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable transport.
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- Trade and Investment:
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- In March 2025, Norway’s exports to India accelerated by 48% year-on-year. Key Norwegian exports encompass non-ferrous metals (like raw nickel), chemical materials, and metalliferous ores.
- The recent signing of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in March 2024 is a giant milestone, expected to boost trade and investment between India and Norway.
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- Scientific and Environmental Cooperation:
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- India and Norway collaborate on polar research, marine spatial planning, and climate action.
- India has undertaken 3 Arctic Missions to Norway (in 2007, 2008, and 2009). India’s Polar Research Station, “Himadri,” is located at Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen Island, Norway.
- Export Control Regimes: Norway has supported India’s club in key export control regimes, along with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), and the Australia Group (AG).
Blue Economy
- Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for financial growth, stepped forward livelihoods, and environmental health.
- India’s imaginative and prescient aligns with global efforts to stabilize financial development with marine environment safety.
- The Blue Economy is likewise pondered in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14), which advocates for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
- For India, with its substantial shoreline of 11,098km spanning 9 states and 2 union territories, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million square km, the Blue Economy holds a huge capacity.
Source: The News on AIR
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (2018)
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