• UGI USER
  • Mar 27, 2024
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SENSING THREAT FROM CHINA, INDIA JOINS THE RACE TO MINE SEA

Why in the news?

India applies to explore Indian Ocean seabed, citing strategic concerns over Chinese activity, to secure future interests in deep sea mining.

source:thehindu

About the  Application to International Seabed Authority (ISBA):

  • India seeks rights to explore two vast Indian Ocean seabed tracts outside its jurisdiction.
  • One tract, the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount, is rich in cobalt and is also claimed by Sri Lanka.
  • Motivated partly by reports of Chinese reconnaissance in the region.
What is United nations convention on the law of the sea(UNCLOS):

●  UNCLOS, established in 1982, divides marine areas into Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, EEZ, and High Seas.

●  It outlines state jurisdiction in maritime spaces and governs offshore governance and states’ rights and responsibilities in various zones.

About the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA):

  • Established in 1997, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional forum.
  • Aims for mutual cooperation and understanding among 23 member states and 9 Dialogue Partners.
  • Key members include India, Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa.
  • China is a Dialogue Partner.
  • IORA’s Secretariat is in Mauritius.
  • The Indian Ocean, crucial for global trade, carries half of the world’s container ships and two-thirds of oil shipments.