Abstract
The agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), also termed the ‘High Seas Treaty’, is the most consequential development in the law of the sea since UNCLOS (1982). After nearly two decades of negotiations, it entered into force on 17 January 2026 following over sixty ratifications. BBNJ establishes procedures to regulate environmental impact assessments, area-based management tools including marine protected areas, and access and benefit-sharing for marine genetic resources. This article analyses the agreement and assesses its implications for India’s maritime security, economic interests, and naval operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It concludes with a way ahead for implementation that safeguards our strategic and operational interests.
Key Words: ABNJ, BBNJ, UNCLOS, RFMO, UNGA, EEZ, IOR
