The contract is India’s third exploration contract with the ISA and is its second for PMS. The contract area covers 10,000 km2 in parts of the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean.
Dr. Ravichandran stated that it was a proud moment for the Government of India to sign the contract, which makes India the first ISA Member State to hold two contracts for PMS exploration and to have the largest area allocated in the international seabed area. “We look forward to continued cooperation with the ISA to generate more scientific knowledge of the seabed, streamlining best scientific knowledge and technology for harnessing seabed mineral resources as the common heritage of humankind, while ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment,” he added.
Madam Secretary-General congratulated the Government of India on signing the contract. She highlighted that the signing of the new contract sent a clear and strong message to the international community that India continues to uphold and advance the principles of international law by conducting its exploration activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction strictly within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Implementation Agreement under the mandate of ISA.
(Image credit: ISA)
“I am confident that, by signing this new contract, the Government of India will leverage its experience, lessons learned, and the scientific and technical expertise gained from over four decades of work in this domain and employ the necessary synergies to ensure that this contract is implemented with the utmost effectiveness, efficiency, and due diligence,” she stated.