- India has applied with International Seabed Authority for rights to explore two vast tracts in Indian Ocean seabed.
- These rights are specific to areas that are part of open ocean, where no countries can claim sovereignty.
- Applied regions are:
- For exploration of polymetallic sulfides in Indian Ocean Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge), located in Central Indian Ocean.
- For exploration of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of Afanasy-Nikitin(AN) Seamount in Central Indian Ocean.
- Currently, India holds two contracts for exploration in Indian Ocean. These are
- For exploration for polymetallic nodules in Central Indian Ocean Basin.
- Polymetallic nodules contain manganese, iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, and lead. These metals are of economic and strategic importance.
- For exploration of polymetallic sulphides in Indian Ocean Ridge.
- For exploration for polymetallic nodules in Central Indian Ocean Basin.
- Seabed exploration outside of territorial limits are decided by United Nations Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
- UNCLOS (adopted in 1982) lays down comprehensive regime of law and order in world's oceans and seas.
- Bodies established under UNCLOS are:
- International Seabed Authority,
- International Tribunal for Law of the Sea and
- Commission on Limits of the Continental Shelf.
International Seabed Authority
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