(a) The steps taken by the Government for the exploration of the continental shelf;
(b) Whether the Government have entered into any agreement with multinational companies for exploration of the continental shelf or any part of the ocean; and
(c) If so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) Government is in a process of delineating the outer limits of the Continental Shelf for submitting India`s claims on continental shelf in accordance with the provisions of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. Upon acceptance of claims by United Nations, the detailed work for exploration of resources would be taken up.
(b) and (c) No Sir. However, an agreement between National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, an autonomous institute under Department of Ocean Development and Laboratory of Regional Geodynamics, a company registered in U.K. is in process of finalization for undertaking the marine geophysical survey towards acquisition and processing of data required for delineation of the outer limits of the continental shelf.