By Web Desk
TWA
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Sri Lanka has expressed significant concerns regarding India’s recent submission to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) to explore the cobalt-rich ferro-manganese crust at the Afanasy Nikitin Sea-mount (ANS). This development, if not carefully managed, has the potential to escalate into a major maritime issue, straining the bilateral relations between the two South Asian neighbors.
In January 2024, India submitted a request to the ISBA, based in Kingston, Jamaica, seeking approval to explore the ANS, a sea-mount located in international waters approximately 1,050 km southeast of the Sri Lankan coast and 1,350 km off the Indian coast. Sri Lanka has contested this submission, citing its long-pending clearance from the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry emphasized that recent public speculation regarding the ceding of Sri Lanka’s sovereign rights is unfounded. The Ministry reiterated that, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), all coastal states, including Sri Lanka, are entitled to claim an extended continental shelf beyond their 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Sri Lanka’s submission to the UNCLCS was initially made on May 8, 2009. The UNCLCS appointed a Sub-Commission to review Colombo’s submission in October 2016, and discussions have been ongoing since then. However, the UNCLCS has yet to make final recommendations due to India’s counter-submission.
The urgency of the matter has increased following India’s application to the ISBA, submitted by the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) in January 2024, which included a 15-year plan and a fee of $500,000 for exploring the ANS.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has requested the ISBA to withhold India’s submission until the UNCLCS reaches a final decision on Sri Lanka’s extended continental shelf claim. The Ministry highlighted that the cobalt-rich crusts at ANS lie entirely within the area claimed by Sri Lanka.
Beyond the ANS, India has shown interest in other mineral-rich regions in the Indian Ocean, including the Carlsberg Ridge, which is abundant in poly-metallic nodules containing copper, lead, and zinc.
The situation is further complicated by the involvement of China. Over the past three years, Chinese research vessels have frequently navigated the region. However, there is no public indication that China has committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s continental shelf claims or subsequent exploration activities.
The issue has also drawn political attention within Sri Lanka. The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has accused India of exploiting Sri Lanka’s ongoing political and economic crisis for its gain. This claim has the potential to stir political controversy ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming presidential elections.
In light of these developments, both India and Sri Lanka must approach this sensitive issue through diplomatic channels to prevent further strain on their bilateral relations. The revival of the ‘Kachchatheevu issue’ and the recent incident involving the death of a Sri Lankan Navy sailor in a clash with Indian fishers underscore the need for careful and collaborative handling of maritime disputes.
