NEWS

• India has secured an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to search for polymetallic sulphide nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge region of the northwest Indian Ocean.
• This marks the first global licence for such exploration in this specific ridge.
• The agreement with the Jamaica-based ISA was signed in Delhi.

HIGHLIGHTS

What are Polymetallic Sulphides?

• Rock-like nodules found in the deep ocean.
• Rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper.
• Considered crucial for advanced technologies, renewable energy, and electronics.

Carlsberg Ridge: Strategic Location

• Area: 3,00,000 sq. km in the Arabian Sea and northwest Indian Ocean.
• Forms boundary between Indian and Arabian tectonic plates.
• Extends from Rodrigues Island to the Owen Fracture Zone.

International Seabed Authority (ISA) Regulations

• Governs exploration in “high seas” beyond national jurisdiction.
• Currently, 19 countries hold such exploration rights.
• India applied in January 2024 for two regions:
  • Carlsberg Ridge – licence granted.
  • Afanasy-Nikitin Sea (ANS) Mount – pending, also claimed by Sri Lanka.

Legal Framework: UNCLOS

• Countries can claim up to 350 nautical miles from their coasts as their continental shelf.
• Exception: Bay of Bengal states can extend claims up to 500 nautical miles under UNCLOS provisions.

• 2002: Rights in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, expiring in 2027.
• 2016: Licence for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge, valid till 2031.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s blue economy ambitions.
• Ensures access to critical minerals vital for clean energy and high-tech industries.
• Enhances India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean amid global competition for seabed resources