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In a decisive move to deepen regional maritime cooperation, India and the Maldives have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to transform their fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the Maldives, is one of six bilateral pacts exchanged during the high-level summit and underscores a shared commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and coastal community empowerment.

This MoU marks a significant leap toward building an innovation-driven, environmentally responsible fisheries ecosystem in the Indian Ocean. At its core, the agreement seeks to promote sustainable tuna and deep-sea fishing practices while simultaneously strengthening aquaculture systems and advancing marine science collaboration. Both countries have recognized the urgent need to move beyond extraction-based models and toward regenerative, climate-smart marine resource management.

The partnership will enable the Maldives to ramp up its fish processing and value addition capabilities by investing in cold chain logistics and modernized storage infrastructure. India, with its robust aquaculture and marine research ecosystem, will extend technical expertise in areas ranging from hatchery upgrades and aquatic animal health to biosecurity screening and cage culture technologies. The deal also emphasizes the diversification of cultured species and the integration of eco-tourism into fisheries-based livelihoods.

What sets this collaboration apart is its strategic focus on capacity building. The MoU paves the way for specialized training programs in refrigeration and mechanical engineering, marine technology, farm management, and disease surveillance. These initiatives are expected to create a skilled workforce capable of driving long-term productivity and sustainability gains across the blue economy.

Beyond economics, the agreement represents a bold step in blue diplomacy. As marine ecosystems across the Indo-Pacific face intensifying stress from overfishing and climate change, India and the Maldives are charting a new course—one that links trade, innovation, and environmental stewardship. For both nations, tuna is not just an export commodity but a geopolitical asset. This pact could serve as the foundation for a traceable, certified, and globally competitive tuna value chain emerging from South Asia.

By anchoring fisheries development in science, infrastructure, and shared vision, the India–Maldives MoU sends a clear message: regional partnerships can lead the way in building an ocean economy that is both resilient and regenerative.