By Rathindra Kuruwita

The International Seabed Authority (ISBA) does not have the authority to permit India to explore the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount, Rear Admiral (retd.) Y. N. Jayarathna, former Chief Hydrographer and former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, says.

According to Jayarathna, Sri Lanka’s claim to this area, established in 2009, should be upheld.

Speaking to The Island, yesterday, Jayaratne urged the Sri Lankan government to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the nation’s oceanic resources. Pointing out that everything in the country from agricultural to energy was heavily reliant on the sea, he called for greater attention from Sri Lankan political leaders to these vital resources.

Jayarathna made these remarks in response to the controversy surrounding India’s bid to conduct research at the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount, which Sri Lanka claims as part of its continental shelf. The Afanasy Nikitin Seamount is a vast undersea mountain range stretching 400 km long and 150 kilometers wide, situated in the equatorial Indian Ocean. There is speculation that the area may hold deposits of cobalt worth up to USD 80 billion.

“Seamounts are formed when two oceanic plates collide, causing magma to rise from the descending plate and resulting in eruptions that can create seamounts and islands. These seamounts are rich in minerals with significant economic value. Therefore, asserting sovereignty over the seabed is crucial,” Jayaratne explained.

Jayarathna noted that the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount had been discovered by Soviet researchers in 1959 during the International Indian Ocean Expedition. This large-scale, multinational hydrographic survey of the Indian Ocean ran from September 1, 1959, to December 31, 1965, and was aimed at understanding the fundamental features of the ocean.

“If a country discovers something while exploring the ocean floor, it has the right to name it. The Soviets chose to name the seamount after a Russian explorer who was one of the first Europeans to travel to and document his visit to India,” he said.

“No one can conduct explorations or expeditions in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the Northern region, without considering Sri Lanka,” Jayaratne said, adding that Sri Lanka could participate in those explorations.

“Other countries are investing in the exploration of the Indian Ocean floor, which is why research vessels spend months in the region. It would be beneficial for us to be involved in these expeditions, as it would allow our researchers to gain exposure to new technologies, methodologies, and invaluable experience,” Jayaratne added. He said that marine science research and resource identification of the seabed were closely linked, and that exploration in the Indian Ocean is now influenced by geopolitics.

“Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in July 1994. Out of the 183 countries that signed the agreement, 169 have ratified it. Sri Lankan top diplomat Shirley Amerasinghe was a key leader in the negotiations to draft UNCLOS,” Jayarathna noted.

While drafting UNCLOS, Amerasinghe recognised that the provisions on the delimitation of the continental shelf in Article 76 of the draft convention could potentially lead to unfair outcomes for Sri Lanka’s continental shelf. To address this, Sri Lanka successfully negotiated a fair solution, which is now reflected in the “Statement of Understanding concerning a specific method to be used in establishing the outer edge of the continental margin” (SoU). This statement was adopted by consensus during the 141st Plenary Meeting of the Conference on August 29, 1980, and is referenced in paragraph 3(1)(a) of Annex II (Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf) of the 1982 UNCLOS.

“Building on this, we submitted our claims for an extended Continental Shelf in 2009, which includes the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount. However, in recent years, regional powers have been attempting to encroach upon these claimed areas,” Jayaratne said, noting that the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) had been established under UNCLOS. The ISBA oversees ocean floor areas that are not recognised as belonging to any specific country.

“Countries with the necessary technology can apply to the ISBA for permission to explore these areas. When submitting an application, a deposit is required. In March 2024, India followed this process by placing a $500,000 deposit with the ISBA and requesting permission to explore the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount for 15 years. However, since Sri Lanka has claimed this area, the ISBA does not have the authority to grant India permission to explore it,” he said.

Jayarathna noted that only a few countries had the capability to excavate minerals from the ocean floor due to the high costs involved. India’s request for exploration was driven by geopolitical motives, he added.

“We are aware that Chinese ships are exploring various parts of the Indian Ocean floor. If they were to discover a new feature and name it after a Chinese explorer, India wouldn’t like this,” he said.

Jayaratne emphasised that Sri Lanka must respond promptly to these developments. Although Sri Lanka may lack the technology and financial resources to compete with major players in the Indian Ocean, it could still serve as a visionary leader in this arena.