India and the Maldives have signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on sustainable tuna fishing, value chain development, and scientific innovation. The deal also supports cold storage infrastructure, hatchery upgrades, and joint capacity building in marine technologies. Signed during PM Modi’s state visit, the partnership aims to foster a resilient and eco-friendly fisheries sector in both countries.
In a significant boost to regional maritime cooperation, India and the Maldives have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture. The agreement, inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the Maldives, is aimed at promoting sustainable marine practices and innovation across both nations. This MoU is part of the 6 MOUs exchanged between India and Maldives during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s State visit to the island nation on 25th July 2025.
The partnership aims to promote sustainable tuna and deep-sea fisheries, strengthen aquaculture and sustainable resource management, foster fisheries-based eco-tourism, and support innovation and scientific research across both countries.
Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MOU include value chain development, mariculture advancement, trade facilitation, and capacity building within the fisheries sector. As a part of this initiative, the Maldives will scale up its fish processing capabilities by investing in cold storage infrastructure and strengthening the aquaculture sector through hatchery development, improved production efficiency, and the diversification of cultured species.
The MOU also will facilitate training and knowledge exchange programs, with a focus on capacity building in aquatic animal health, biosecurity screening, aquaculture farm management, and specialized technical fields such as refrigeration, mechanical engineering, and marine engineering to support long-term skills development within the sector. This cooperation reflects the shared vision of India and Maldives to build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for the fisheries industry.