New Delhi (VNA) – The second ASEAN-India Workshoꦺp on Blue Economy took place in New Delhion July 18, attracting oꦑver 60 delegates, including government officials,scholars, and researchers from ASEAN and India.

As co-chairperson ofthe event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh underscored theimportance of blue economy in regional and global development, affirming thatVietnam and ASEAN member states consider maritime cooperation as one of theprioritised cooperation fields with India. Building on thesuccess of the first workshop of its kind held in Vietnam’s Nha Trang city inNovember 2017, he urged delegates to raise specific proposals to foster blueeconomy cooperation within the ASEAN-India strategic partnership framework, aswell as strengthen regional maritime connectivity. The diplomatexpressed his hope that negotiations on the ASEAN-India maritime transportagreement would soon be concluded to ensure maritime security and safety, thuscreating an environment conducive to sustainable development. Secretary(East) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran affirmed thatIndia appreciates its long-standing maritime link with ASEAN member states,adding that India will earmark 190 billion USD to boost connectivity betweenits seaports and 27 new economic development areas in the next decade. Sheinvited ASEAN countries to consider joining the project, initially focusing oncoastal special economic zones, investment consultation, maritimetransportation, and tourism. VuThanh Ca from the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment saidVietnam has taken actions to step up its blue economy such as strengtheningcoastal management, mitigating illegal fishing, improving lives of fishermenvia job creation, poverty reduction, and ensuring social equality. Dr.Prakash Chauhan, Director of the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, said Indiais effectively using remote sensing technology to support blue economy viaweather and disaster forecasting, marine environment protection, and searchingfor waters suitable for fishing and tourism. Dr. Prabirfrom the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RISDC) proposedstrengthening connectivity, especially facilitating maritime transportation viathe ASEAN-India seaport network; investing in sea infrastructure; developingcoastal special economic zones; and improving connectivity plans. Participantsshared the view that maritime security is crucial to developing blue economy, andproposed potential cooperation fields such as maritime connectivity, safety,and diplomacy. Theyhoped for more discussions about blue economy towards realising specificprojects between ASEAN and India. Theevent was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the Indian Ministry ofExternal Relations, with the support of the Economic Research Institute forASEAN and East Asia, the RISDC, and the National Maritime Foundation of India. -VNA