India and Russia have established a collaborative partnership in deep-sea research and mining, aiming to advance technologies for extracting minerals from the ocean floor. This collaboration involves the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai and Russia’s Krylov State Research Centre. The partnership focuses on developing machines capable of harvesting polymetallic nodules, which are rich in metals like nickel, copper, and cobalt.
As part of this initiative, India is set to launch ‘Samudrayaan,’ a manned submersible vehicle designed to reach depths of up to 6 kilometers. This vehicle will feature a human module capable of housing three individuals for up to 72 hours, facilitating the exploration and extraction of deep-sea minerals.
The collaboration between India and Russia underscores a shared commitment to advancing deep-sea exploration technologies and securing critical minerals essential for various industries, including electronics and renewable energy sectors. This partnership is expected to enhance both nations’ capabilities in ocean resource utilization, contributing to their economic growth and technological advancement.
