Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 19 : In a move highlighting India’s commitment to sustainable ocean development, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh felicitated international foreign trainees from six countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Ghana and Jamaica, who had completed a specialised training programme in “Ocean Exploration”.
The event, organized with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), celebrated the completion of advanced seabed exploration training and underscored India’s dedication to environmental stewardship, international collaboration, and resource-sharing.
In a significant address at New Delhi’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recognized a group of international trainees who had completed a specialized training program focused on Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) and Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) exploration. This training, facilitated by the ISA, attracted participants from nations including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, underscoring India’s role as a hub for sustainable marine exploration and capacity building.
Dr. Jitendra Singh began by welcoming the trainees on behalf of the Government of India, congratulating them on successfully completing the rigorous program. He emphasized India’s leadership in responsible seabed exploration, framing the training as an opportunity to build a network of skilled professionals dedicated to environmental sustainability. “You are not mere trainees; you are ambassadors of a sustainable future,” he said, encouraging participants to use their expertise to champion marine conservation in their home countries.
During his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh outlined India’s approach to seabed mining, defined by four guiding principles: sustainable utilization of seabed minerals for the common good, strict adherence to marine environmental protection, the development of seabed mineral regulations, and alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) India, he reiterated, is “fully dedicated to safeguarding marine ecosystems while pursuing responsible exploration to benefit humanity.”
The Minister observed that the training program aligns closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Blue Economy” initiatives, which prioritizes the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods. The Blue Economy initiative aims to harness ocean wealth responsibly, ensuring benefits reach local communities without compromising the health of marine ecosystems.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated India’s stance that true economic progress comes from a balance between development and environmental conservation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged the trainees to foster networks with their Indian peers and return home with India’s commitment to both technological innovation and environmental responsibility. India’s ongoing role as a mentor in ISA programs reflects its dedication to supporting other nations in developing a skilled workforce capable of managing marine resources sustainably, he said.
Attendees included senior officials, scientists, and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, all of whom shared Dr. Jitendra Singh’s optimism for the program’s impact. The Minister invited the trainees to continue providing feedback on their experiences, noting that their insights could further refine and enhance India’s role in international training programs. He also emphasized the importance of these collaborations, calling the trainees “global messengers of ocean conservation” with the potential to shape their countries’ approaches to seabed mining.
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