Permanent Mission of India
New York
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36th Meeting of the State Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Agenda Item 12 Report of UN Secretary-General

Statement by S. Senthil Kumar, Director, Legal and Treaties Division, Ministry of External Affairs
17 June 2026

Thank you, Mr. President.

India thanks the Secretary-General for the reports on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, which offer a comprehensive assessment of developments and emerging challenges in ocean governance.

India attaches the highest importance to UNCLOS and is steadfast in upholding its principles and advancing its full and effective implementation.

As a maritime nation with a coastline of over 11,000 kilometres, more than 1,300 islands, and an Exclusive Economic Zone exceeding 2.1 million square kilometres, India has a deep and enduring connection with the oceans. We remain firmly dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

Guided by the vision of “Blue Growth,” India has launched several initiatives to advance a sustainable Blue Economy that balances economic development with environmental stewardship. These include the Deep Ocean Mission, which seeks to deepen understanding of marine biodiversity, develop marine spatial planning, strengthen ocean observation systems, support climate studies, and promote technologies for deep-ocean exploration.

India recognizes the growing impacts of climate change on the oceans - including sea-level rise, ocean warming, and extreme weather events - which fall disproportionately on developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. To strengthen resilience, India has established advanced Ocean Information Services that provide critical data, forecasting, and multi-hazard early warning for cyclones, tsunamis, storm surges, and other hazards, benefiting not only India but countries across the region.

Mr. President,

Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology are essential enablers for the implementation of UNCLOS and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and India accords them particular priority. Through the International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean), a UNESCO Category II Centre, India continues to provide training and technical assistance to researchers and practitioners from developing countries. In 2025, India also conducted an at-sea training programme for candidates nominated by the International Seabed Authority, focusing on marine scientific research, deep-sea exploration technologies, and environmental studies.

India is equally invested in strengthening international cooperation in ocean science and governance. We have signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and are currently undertaking its ratification, reaffirming our resolve to conserve and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction.

Marine pollution, particularly plastic pollution, continues to pose a serious threat to ocean health. India has undertaken nationwide efforts, including the “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” campaign, to raise awareness, reduce marine litter, and promote sustainable practices among coastal communities - complementing broader international action to prevent pollution from land-based sources.

Mr. President,

The maritime domain is our common heritage, and international sea routes are the lifelines of global trade. Today, however, this shared heritage faces mounting pressures, including threats to maritime safety and security. It is imperative that the international community recommit itself to the framework of the Convention, in both letter and spirit.

Mr. President,

India closely follows the work of the institutions established under UNCLOS, including the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and acknowledge their contributions.

In conclusion, India reaffirms its readiness to cooperate fully in ensuring the sound management and sustainable use of the oceans and seas, and will remain a responsible and reliable partner of the international community.

Thank you.

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