India is preparing the ground for deep-sea mining. The real prize is critical minerals

The Ministry of Earth Sciences and the National Institute of Ocean Technology convened an industry outreach workshop on deep-sea mining and its strategic importance. The focus was on building technology, financing and policy pathways around critical minerals used in clean energy, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

Commercial mining of polymetallic nodules in international waters still depends on rules being developed through the International Seabed Authority. That makes this both a technology story and a global-governance story. India’s interest reflects a wider effort to reduce exposure to concentrated mineral supply chains while expanding the Blue Economy.