"Blue Economy is both an opportunity and a governance challenge for small island states." Discuss India's role in promoting a rules-based Blue Economy framework in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Blue Economy — sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, livelihoods and ecosystem health — is existential for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), whose maritime zones dwarf their land area. India, through SAGAR (2015) and now MAHASAGAR [3], positions itself as the rule-shaper and capacity-provider of a rules-based Indian Ocean order.

Blue Economy as opportunity for island states

• Revenue base: fisheries, marine tourism, shipping and ocean renewables anchor SIDS economies; Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone is its principal economic asset.
• Development finance leverage: India's USD 175 million package to Seychelles (LoC plus grant) supports housing, mobility and maritime security [1].
• Blue Economy cooperation was institutionalised early through the 2015 India–Seychelles Protocol on the framework of cooperation in the Blue Economy [2].

Governance challenges

• Capacity deficit: small administrations struggle to survey, monitor and police vast EEZs — hence the Seychelles Hydrographic Unit, built with Indian assistance for ocean mapping and maritime domain awareness [2].
• IUU fishing, piracy and marine pollution cut across jurisdictions; enforcement outpaces national means.
• Climate vulnerability: sea-level rise and coral bleaching threaten the very resource base.
• Legal gaps beyond national jurisdiction, addressed only recently by the BBNJ (High Seas) Agreement, which India signed in 2024 [4].

India's rules-based contribution

• Normative: UNCLOS-anchored advocacy and BBNJ accession, plus championing SIDS interests — recognised in the Seychelles Presidential Distinction 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' conferred on the Prime Minister in June 2026 for Blue Economy and climate leadership [5].
• Operational: hydrography, coastal surveillance, white-shipping information exchange and training [2].
• Institutional: the India–Seychelles SESEL Joint Vision links sustainability, growth and security in one framework [1].

India's Indian Ocean engagement thus converts capacity-building into rule-making credibility. Going forward, deeper regional fisheries governance, climate finance for SIDS adaptation and swift BBNJ ratification would consolidate this role — advancing SDG-14 and the constitutional vision under Article 51 of promoting international peace and respect for treaty obligations.