Needed: An underwater PM Gati Shakti

India's blue economy strategy hinges on developing robust underwater domain awareness, a critical yet overlooked aspect

The oceans harbour vast untapped economic potential worth trillions of dollars, yet much of it remains undiscovered. Not only does 94 per cent life exist underwater, oceans play a critical role in managing greenhouse gases. Earth’s longest chain of mountains, the mid-ocean ridge, which spans 65,000 kms, is underwater, as are 3 million shipwrecks, each holding a treasure trove of stories. Surprisingly, oceans remain less explored than the surfaces of the Moon or Mars.

India’s maritime domain, covering nearly the same area as its land territory, holds 80 per cent of her resources but contributes only 4 per cent to