India Secures First Global Seabed Exploration Licence from ISA

On September 15, 2025, India signed a landmark agreement with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Delhi, securing an exploration contract to search for polymetallic sulphide nodules in the north-west Indian Ocean. This marks the first such licence granted globally and positions India at the forefront of seabed exploration for critical minerals needed in the clean energy transition, according to news reports.

Details of the Agreement

1. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said that this contract allows India to explore the Carlsberg Ridge, a 3,00,000 sq km stretch in the Arabian Sea and north-west Indian Ocean. These nodules, found in the deep ocean, are rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper, metals vital for advanced technologies and renewable energy systems.

The agreement with ISA, based in Jamaica, highlights India’s increasing presence in global mineral exploration beyond its territorial waters.

India’s Applications and Approvals

India had submitted applications in January 2024 for two exploration zones in the Indian Ocean. While approval has been granted for the Carlsberg Ridge, the second application for the Afanasy-Nikitin Sea (ANS) mount remains pending. The ANS, located in the Central Indian Ocean, is contested, with Sri Lanka also seeking exploration rights.

This is not India’s first engagement with ISA. In March 2002, India obtained rights for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, later extended to March 2027. Another contract was signed on September 26, 2016, for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge, valid until September 2031.

Strategic Importance of the Carlsberg Ridge

The Carlsberg Ridge is a tectonic boundary that stretches from Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone. Its mineral-rich nodules are of growing strategic interest, especially with the rising demand for cobalt, nickel, and copper used in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy infrastructure, and high-performance electronics.

Securing rights here ensures India is not left behind as global powers race to claim mineral-rich seabed areas, often for both economic and strategic leverage.

Environmental and Geopolitical Considerations

Despite its promise, seabed mining remains highly controversial. Scientists argue that very little is known about the ecological systems of these deep-sea regions, raising concerns that mining could cause irreversible environmental damage.

Nonetheless, exploration rights are often pursued for strategic reasons. They serve as a means to block competitors, protect national interests, and secure potential future access to critical resources, even when commercial viability is not immediate.

Read More: Coal India wins bid for rare earth exploration block

Conclusion

India’s first global seabed exploration licence at the Carlsberg Ridge, represents both a scientific and strategic milestone. While environmental debates continue, the contract signals India’s intent to strengthen its presence in deep-ocean resource exploration and secure access to minerals critical for its clean energy and technological future.

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