What happened?
On September 4, 2025 India began work on a new law to safeguard its interests in international waters, following the adoption of the High Seas Treaty in 2023. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has constituted a 12-member drafting panel headed by Supreme Court Senior Advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, a leading environmental lawyer, to prepare legislation aligned with the treaty’s provisions. The treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) agreement, aims to regulate activities on the high seas, promote conservation of marine biodiversity, and ensure equitable sharing of benefits from marine resources.
Why it matters to India
The law will help India secure its strategic and economic interests in the high seas, which make up nearly two-thirds of global ocean areas and are considered common resources. With provisions covering marine impact assessments, seabed mining regulations, and benefit-sharing of genetic resources, the treaty demands institutional preparedness. By framing domestic legislation, India positions itself to comply with treaty obligations, protect marine ecosystems, and take advantage of opportunities in marine resource use, while reinforcing its role in shaping global ocean governance.