India has achieved a significant milestone in its pursuit of deep-sea resources by securing an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphur nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge.

The Carlsberg Ridge, a 3,00,000 sq km stretch in the Arabian Sea and northwest Indian Ocean, forms the boundary between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates, extending from near Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone.
This marks the first licence of its kind granted globally, underscoring India’s growing role in the governance and utilization of the global commons.

Key Highlights of the Development

• Agreement Signed: September 2025 between India and the Kingston (Jamaica)-based ISA.

• Resource Potential: Polymetallic sulphur nodules are rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper—critical for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and high-tech industries.

• India’s Application (January 2024):

  • Carlsberg Ridge – approved.

  • Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (ANS) – pending approval due to overlapping claims with Sri Lanka.

India’s Existing Engagement with ISA

• 2002: First contract for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (valid till March 2027 after extensions).

• 2016: Contract for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (valid till September 2031).

• With the Carlsberg Ridge approval, India becomes one of the few countries with multiple exploration contracts under ISA.

Strategic and Geopolitical Dimensions

• Critical Minerals Security: Ensures access to minerals vital for batteries and clean energy.

• Countering Chinese Presence: Pre-emptive strategic move to limit Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.

• Blue Economy Goals: Supports India’s Deep Ocean Mission and indigenous deep-sea technology.

Environmental and Regulatory Concerns

• Ecological Risks: Deep-sea ecosystems remain poorly understood; potential for irreversible damage.

• Regulatory Gaps: ISA regulates exploration under UNCLOS, but rules for commercial exploitation remain unsettled.

• Global Debate: Environmental groups call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining to protect marine biodiversity.

Practice Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Carlsberg Ridge:

1. It is part of the Indian Ocean Ridge system and lies between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates.

2. It extends from near Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone in the Arabian Sea.

3. It is located entirely within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)