Blue Economy Diplomacy and Indian Ocean Maritime Governance Cooperation

Background: The growing emphasis on blue economy development among Indian Ocean rim states since 2021, encompassing sustainable fisheries management, seabed resource governance, and maritime security cooperation, has generated new diplomatic frameworks coordinated through the Indian Ocean Rim Association and bilateral partnerships. Aims/objectives: This study examines how blue economy diplomacy has influenced regional maritime governance cooperation and the balancing of economic development objectives with environmental sustainability commitments among Indian Ocean states. Method: A qualitative analysis of Indian Ocean Rim Association declarations, national blue economy strategies, and interviews with maritime policy officials from three member states was conducted covering the 2021 to 2024 period. Results: Findings indicate that blue economy frameworks provided a relatively depoliticized platform for cooperation among states otherwise engaged in strategic competition, particularly facilitating technical collaboration on fisheries monitoring and marine pollution control. However, divergent national capacities for implementation and enforcement limited the practical translation of cooperative declarations into binding governance outcomes across the diverse membership. Conclusion: The study concludes that blue economy diplomacy offers a promising functional pathway for regional cooperation amid broader strategic rivalry in the Indian Ocean region. Strengthening technical capacity-building support for smaller island states is recommended to ensure equitable participation in emerging maritime governance frameworks across the rim association.

Keywords: blue economy, Indian Ocean, maritime governance, regional cooperation, sustainable development diplomacy