India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy

India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy

• Recently, the India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development was inaugurated jointly by both the countries. This task force was launched during the Norwegian Prime Minister's visit to India earlier in 2019.
• The two countries also commenced a new collaboration on Integrated Ocean Management & Research.

Key Points

• The bilateral collaboration intends to manage the resources in the oceans in a sustainable manner.
• The India-Norway cooperation in the field of oceans is based on a shared interest in the blue economy and the sustainable use of marine resources.
• Both countries also desire to advance scientific knowledge about oceans.

India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development

• The purpose of the task force is to develop and follow up joint initiatives between the two countries.
• It also intends to mobilize relevant stakeholders from both Norway and India at the highest level, and ensure continued commitment and progress across ministries and agencies.

India-Norway Relations

• India and Norway have been enjoying a cordial and friendly relationship since the establishment of relations in 1947.
• The two countries respect each other for their commonly shared values such as democracy, human rights and rule of law. In recent years, both countries have been increasing their engagements in the field of trade and technology.
• Norway has supported India’s membership to export control regimes the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG).
• India has signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Norway in 1986 which was revised in February 2011.
• Total bilateral trade between India and Norway stands around $1.1 billion in 2015-16.
• Three Arctic Missions from India have so far visited Norway, in 2007, 2008 and 2009. India’s Polar Research Station “Himadri” is located at Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen Island, Norway.

Blue Economy

• The concept was introduced by Gunter Pauli in his 2010 book- “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”.
• It is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
• It comprises renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, tourism, climate change, waste management.
• It is also reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14), which calls to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• Blue Economy can help to generate livelihoods, to achieve energy security, to build ecological resilience and to improve living standards of coastal communities.
• India has a long coastline of 7,517 km covering nine states and two union territories – with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 mn. sq.km.

NOTE:

• Norway is an expert on the subject of the Ocean Economy as 70% of Norway's export is from Norway's maritime industry.
• Starting the bilateral ocean dialogue has added a new dimension in India-Norway relations and will help India to understand the know-how of the maritime industry.

Source: PIB