Indian Express, Sep 30, 2025

Key Arguments

1. India’s Unique Achievement
   ○ India is the first country to secure two contracts from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for polymetallic sulphide (PMS) exploration in the Indian Ocean.
   ○ PMS minerals like copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver are critical for renewable energy systems and green technologies.

2. Strategic and Economic Importance
   ○ Exploration sites such as the Carlsberg Ridge and Central Indian Ocean Basin hold rich reserves of PMS and nodules.
   ○ Securing deep-sea minerals boosts energy security, industrial resilience, and geopolitical influence.

3. Technological & Scientific Advances
   ○ India’s Deep Ocean Mission (2021) supports deep-sea mining technologies, remotely operated vehicles, and advanced oceanographic studies.
   ○ PMS exploration requires operating at depths of 1,500–5,000 meters, unlike conventional land mining.

4. Challenges & Environmental Concerns
   ○ Deep-sea ecosystems remain largely unexplored and fragile.
   ○ Mining risks damaging marine biodiversity; strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are mandated under ISA.

5. Global Competition
   ○ Countries like China, Russia, and Japan are also investing in seabed exploration.
   ○ India’s dual contracts give it a competitive edge in resource security and the global green transition.

Author’s Stance

● Pragmatic but cautiously optimistic stance.
● Recognises India’s strategic and technological gains while underlining ecological and commercial uncertainties.
● Message: India must balance resource security with environmental responsibility.

Possible Biases

● Pro-India achievement focus – Celebrates India’s position, underplays global criticism of deep-sea mining.
● Technology optimism – Assumes innovations can offset ecological risks.
● State-centric lens – Prioritises national benefits, limited discussion on community/civil society concerns.

Pros

● Highlights India’s leadership in ocean governance and strategic exploration.
● Provides scientific and policy background clearly.
● Links exploration to green energy transition, making it globally relevant.

Cons

● Limited discussion of risks like ecosystem collapse.
● No comparative global perspective on balancing development vs conservation.
● Ignores uncertainties of economic profitability vs land mining or recycling.

Policy Implications

1. GS Paper I (Geography & Environment):
○ Ocean geography and distribution of resources.
○ Ecological vulnerability of deep-sea ecosystems.

2. GS Paper II (International Relations):
○ India’s role in ISA and UNCLOS.
○ Ocean governance and global cooperation.

3. GS Paper III (Science & Tech, Economy, Environment):
○ Deep Ocean Mission, resource security, renewable energy supply chains.
○ Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and regulatory safeguards.

4. GS Paper IV (Ethics):
○ Intergenerational equity in resource use.
○ Ethics of exploiting global commons like oceans.

Real-World Impact

● Enhances India’s self-reliance in critical minerals, reducing import dependency.
● Strengthens India’s role in the blue economy and renewable energy supply chains.
● Risks global criticism if environmental safeguards are neglected.
● Builds capacity in marine science, engineering, and innovation.

Balanced Summary and Future Perspectives

India’s dual ISA contracts for PMS exploration mark a milestone in resource security and support for green technologies. However, uncertain commercial viability and high ecological risks demand cautious progress. While India’s global standing in ocean governance improves, sustainable development principles must guide future exploration.

Future Outlook:

● Ecological safeguards – Baseline studies before large-scale mining.
● Technology innovation – Low-impact mining methods under Deep Ocean Mission.
● Global diplomacy – Use ISA leadership to frame balanced deep-sea mining rules.
● Economic feasibility checks – Compare ocean mining with recycling and land alternatives.
● Sustainable Blue Economy – Align PMS exploration with climate goals and renewable energy needs.