India has signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, aimed at promoting the conservation of marine genetic resources and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of associated benefits.

“India is proud to join the BBNJ Agreement, a crucial step towards keeping our oceans healthy and resilient,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a post on X after signing the treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

Known as the High Seas Treaty, the agreement is part of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It applies to the high seas, which constitute nearly two-thirds (64%) of the ocean and cover almost half of the planet’s surface. These areas are some of the most ecologically vital yet critically threatened and least protected on earth, with less than 1% currently under full or high protection.

The treaty addresses concerns over the long-term preservation of marine biodiversity in the high seas by setting clear mechanisms for sustainable use through international cooperation and coordination. It prohibits any party from claiming sovereign rights over marine resources in these areas and ensures the fair sharing of benefits.

Adopting an inclusive, ecosystem-based approach rooted in the precautionary principle, the treaty encourages the use of traditional knowledge alongside the best scientific data available. It aims to minimize environmental impacts through area-based management tools and establishes guidelines for conducting environmental impact assessments.

In March 2023, after five years of negotiations, nations reached a landmark agreement on the High Seas Treaty to protect ocean life and curb global biodiversity decline. The treaty will enter into force once ratified by at least 60 countries, providing a legal framework to address governance gaps and guide the conservation of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.

According to the High Seas Alliance, the High Seas Treaty is the first comprehensive, international, and legally binding framework specifically designed to protect high seas biodiversity, following two decades of discussions.

At a recent workshop on the BBNJ in Chennai, PK Srivastava, an advisor to the Union Earth Sciences Ministry, announced plans to establish a dedicated institutional mechanism to oversee the implementation of the agreement. “This authority will handle the necessary regulations, studies, and activities related to the treaty,” he said.

Srivastava highlighted the need for thorough discussions and revisions to existing legislation to align with the treaty’s requirements, suggesting that the Environment Protection Act could be leveraged for conducting environmental impact assessments under the BBNJ Agreement.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, the Indo-Russian joint venture responsible for producing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, has set aside several vacancies for Agniveers—recruits from the Agnipath scheme—in departments such as technical, general administration, and security. The company will also motivate its industry partners to employ these soldiers after they complete their four-year service tenure.

In an office order issued on Thursday, BrahMos Aerospace announced that at least 15% of vacancies in its technical and general administration departments will be reserved for Agniveers, with these recruits filling at least 50% of positions in security and other administrative roles at centers where such services are outsourced.

“Agniveers, with their intensive, time-bound military training, technical expertise, discipline, and adaptability, will play a crucial role in strengthening India’s defense and industrial sectors. As India strives to become a developed nation by 2047, their contributions will be key to shaping the country’s future,” the company stated in a post on X on Friday.

This announcement comes just days before assembly elections in Haryana, where the Agnipath scheme has faced strong opposition.

BrahMos Aerospace is the first major company to officially reserve positions for Agniveers across multiple roles. Notably, the government has already set aside 10% of vacancies for Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces, and several defense public sector undertakings are expected to adjust their recruitment policies similarly, along with providing age relaxations. States like Haryana and Rajasthan have also announced reservations for Agniveers in their police forces.

The Agnipath recruitment model, introduced two years ago, aims to keep the armed forces young and combat-ready. It replaced the military’s traditional recruitment system, which was discontinued when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government introduced the new scheme in June 2022.

The scheme is open to men and women aged between 17.5 and 21, offering four years of service with the possibility of retaining 25% of recruits for an additional 15 years.

BrahMos Aerospace will also encourage its industry partners to hire at least 15% of Agniveers, incorporating this into commercial supply agreements. The company further stated, “BrahMos Aerospace firmly believes that Agniveers, graduating from the Agnipath Scheme, will not only bridge the skills gap in India’s defense industries but also provide a dedicated workforce committed to the nation and the organization.”

Additionally, BrahMos Aerospace has set provisions to hire Agniveers for at least 15% of contractual positions through third-party staffing agencies, depending on their qualifications and experience in technical roles.

On September 5, Hindustan Times reported that the government has no intention of modifying the Agnipath model, despite its controversial nature. Altering the scheme would undermine its objectives and compromise India’s security interests.

The scheme, which the opposition Congress has repeatedly called to scrap, has faced significant backlash from aspiring recruits, especially in northern states, and is believed to have cost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) votes in the recent national elections.

Under the previous recruitment system, soldiers served for about 20 years, retiring in their late 30s with pensions and benefits such as healthcare and canteen access. In contrast, Agniveers, who are released after four years of service, do not receive these benefits.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismissed criticism of the Agnipath model, emphasizing that it would enhance combat effectiveness and strengthen the nation.

Speaking from a helipad named after a 22-year-old Kargil war hero during an event marking the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil war, the PM remarked, “Discussions about lowering the age profile of the armed forces had been ongoing for decades, but there was no political will to implement it. The average age of Indian soldiers was significantly higher than the global average, which was a cause for concern.”