Abhay Kumar Singh replies: The concept of ‘Oceans Economy’ or ‘Blue Economy’ is recent and originates from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) held in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012. At the heart of the concept is a separation of socio-economic development from environmental degradation, which is how it has traditionally been seen as a global status quo.

Abhay Kumar Singh replies: Joint naval exercises and joint naval patrols are maritime activities conducted within the wider ambit of naval diplomacy. Irrespective of their size and political persuasion of their governments, navies engage in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy for both competitive and collaborative purposes. These maritime engagements are aimed at strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries, on the one hand, and signalling capability and intent to deter potential adversaries, on the other.

Aman Saberwal replies: White shipping information refers to exchange of relevant advance information on the identity and movement of commercial non-military merchant vessels.

The seas around India abound in vessels of various types ranging from small inland fishing crafts to larger fishing vessels, coastal crafts carrying personnel and cargo and merchant ships of all shapes and sizes that carry various types of cargo.