India, Maldives To Boost Bilateral Cooperation In Fisheries & Aquaculture

India and the Maldives have taken a significant step to deepen their bilateral collaboration in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The agreement, inked between India’s Department of Fisheries and the Maldives’ Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, aims to promote sustainable tuna and deep-sea fisheries, strengthen aquaculture, and support innovation and scientific research across both nations.

This MoU is one of six agreements exchanged during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to the Maldives, underscoring the growing partnership between the two countries in various sectors, as confirmed by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The MoU outlines multiple areas of cooperation, including value chain development, mariculture advancement, trade facilitation, and capacity building within the fisheries sector.

One of the core objectives is to enhance the Maldives’ fish processing infrastructure, including investments in cold storage facilities that will enable better preservation and export of seafood products.

The Maldives will also focus on strengthening aquaculture through hatchery development, improving production efficiency, and diversifying cultured species. These measures aim to boost sustainable production and foster resilience in the fisheries sector.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange

The partnership emphasises training and knowledge sharing as a vital element.

Both countries will conduct programmes to build capacity in aquatic animal health, biosecurity screening, aquaculture farm management, and specialised technical fields such as refrigeration, mechanical engineering, and marine engineering.

This approach is designed to ensure the long-term development of skilled professionals in the fisheries sector, thereby supporting sustainable growth and innovation.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries, this collaboration reflects India and the Maldives’ shared commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for the fisheries industry.

The partnership will also promote fisheries-based eco-tourism, contributing to economic diversification and environmental conservation in the region.

Broader Bilateral Agreements Strengthen Partnership

The fisheries MoU forms part of a larger framework of agreements signed during PM Modi’s state visit. These include:

• A Line of Credit (LoC) worth Rs 4,850 crore to the Maldives
• An amendatory agreement to reduce the Maldives’ annual debt repayment obligations on Indian government-funded LoCs
• The launch of the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Terms of Reference
• An MoU between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the Maldives Meteorological Services
• An MoU on digital cooperation to share successful large-scale digital solutions

These agreements collectively reaffirm the strong and multifaceted partnership between India and the Maldives, aiming to foster mutual growth and development.

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