United Nations: India has officially joined an international deal aimed at protecting marine life in the high seas. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the agreement, known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), on Wednesday.
He said on X, "India is proud to join the BBNJ Agreement, an important step towards ensuring that our oceans remain healthy and resilient."
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This agreement falls under the Law of the Seas Treaty and aims to conserve marine life and ensure that it is used sustainably in areas beyond national waters. These waters extend up to 200 nautical miles, or about 370 kilometres, from a country's coastline. The BBNJ covers roughly two-thirds of the world's oceans.
The agreement took nearly 20 years to finalise and was adopted globally last year. It prohibits harmful fishing practices and pollution in these areas. Under this deal, no country can claim ownership over ocean resources, promoting fair sharing of the benefits from these resources.
India's Cabinet approved the country's involvement in the agreement in July.
Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Earth Sciences, said at that time, "India remains committed and proactive to the global cause of environmental conservation and sustainable development."
Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran said, "The BBNJ Agreement allows us to enhance our strategic presence in areas beyond our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), which is very promising" and further strengthens our marine conservation efforts.
Agency
Published: 26 Sept 2024, 07:22 am IST
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