India strengthens blue economy ties with Israel through high-level aquaculture cooperation

A high-level Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh , concluded a landmark official visit to Israel from January 13-15, 2026. The visit, centered around the Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026, marks a strategic push by India to expand its global footprint in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and the Blue Economy.

The term Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean and marine resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. It emphasizes innovation, responsible resource management, and the balancing of economic benefits with ecosystem health. Fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and ocean-based renewable energy are all part of this emerging global sector, which is increasingly vital for food security, climate resilience, and employment generation.

At the summit in Eilat, Minister Singh engaged with counterparts from Israel , Ghana, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Morocco, Romania, and the Philippines, highlighting India’s achievements in fisheries and its growing role in global aquaculture innovation and sustainable food production. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to responsible marine resource management, technology-driven innovation, and international cooperation to strengthen global food security.

The delegation explored cutting-edge agri-tech and marine innovation at Israel’s Ag-Tech Innovation Exhibition, interacting with startups focused on water-efficient aquaculture systems, RNA-based shrimp health solutions, and advanced microalgae technologies . These innovations demonstrate the potential of technology to drive productivity while reducing environmental impact, a key principle of the Blue Economy.

A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent between India and Israel, formalizing cooperation in technology transfer, sustainable fishing practices, joint research, and capacity building. The agreement also paves the way for establishing Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture, aimed at leveraging Israeli innovations to strengthen India’s marine sector.

Minister Singh also visited the National Centre for Mariculture (NCM) and SeaNovation Innovation Center, Israel’s leading hubs for marine aquaculture and Blue Economy research. Discussions focused on adapting advanced broodstock, hatchery technologies, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) models, and disease management strategies to Indian conditions, a move expected to boost productivity, sustainability, and resilience in India’s aquaculture sector.

Industry engagements included discussions with Israeli leaders such as Eli Goldberg of Aquaculture Production Tech Ltd., Shai Ufaz of ViAqua Therapeutics Ltd., and Doron Eisenstadt of Bar Algae, covering innovations from water-efficient systems to algae-based seed quality enhancement. These interactions are expected to accelerate tech-driven growth in India’s fisheries, strengthen trade, and create new employment opportunities in the sector, which currently supports over 28 million people nationwide.

India and Israel’s cooperation is expected to have a multifaceted impact on the Blue Economy, including technological innovation to increase efficiency, reduce environmental footprint, and enhance seafood quality; sustainable practices to preserve marine ecosystems and maintain biodiversity; research and innovation introducing new aquaculture species and climate-resilient farming methods; and trade and capacity building to expand exports, generate jobs, and strengthen global competitiveness.

The visit also opened avenues for international partnerships with countries like Ghana, emphasizing India’s expanding leadership in shaping a responsible and profitable Blue Economy. As global demand for seafood rises, India’s engagement with Israel demonstrates a strategic blend of innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration, positioning the country at the forefront of the Blue Economy while reinforcing global food security and ecological stewardship.