What happened?
On 15 September 2025, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George met Leticia Reis de Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), and held discussions on advancing cooperation in deep-sea mineral exploration and strengthening multilateral engagement on ocean governance. The delegations also discussed the sustainable use of marine resources.
Why it matters to India
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS. ISA organises and controls all mineral-resources-related activities in the Area for the benefit of humankind, while ensuring protection of the marine environment from harmful effects of deep-seabed activities. The Area, covering around 54 percent of the world’s oceans, and its resources are recognised as the common heritage of humankind.