India Becomes a Party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by Depositing its Instrument of Acceptance

Why in news

India has deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS), officially becoming a Party to the agreement. This move underscores India's commitment to sustainable fisheries management and responsible seafood export.

Exam relevance

GS1, GS2, GS3 · International Relations, Economy, Environment & Ecology, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS).
2. India is now a Party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
3. The Instrument of Acceptance was handed over by the Commerce Secretary to the Director-General of the WTO.
4. The agreement was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022.
5. It is the first multilateral WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective.
6. The agreement prohibits government support to illegal fishing activities and overexploitation of stocks.
7. The agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025.
8. India is the 123rd Member of the WTO to deposit its Instrument of Acceptance.
9. The agreement focuses on subsidies related to marine wild capture fishing and fish.

Prelims pointers

• The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) aims to promote sustainable fisheries.
• It prohibits subsidies contributing to illegal fishing and overexploitation.
• The agreement was adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva (June 2022).
• It is the first WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective.
• The agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025.
• India is the 123rd member to accept the agreement.

Mains practice question

Discuss the significance of India becoming a party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, considering its implications for marine resource management, international trade, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Static linkage

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is a multilateral trade agreement negotiated under the World Trade Organization (WTO), an international organization that deals with the global rules of trade between nations. The agreement aims to curb harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aligning trade rules with environmental sustainability goals.

Significance

India's acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies signifies its commitment to global environmental sustainability and responsible trade practices in the fisheries sector. It enhances India's credibility as a responsible seafood exporter, potentially opening up new market opportunities. The agreement's focus on curbing harmful subsidies and promoting sustainable fishing practices aligns with India's own objectives of conserving marine resources, ensuring food security, and protecting the livelihoods of its coastal communities. By becoming a party, India also gains a voice in the ongoing implementation and future evolution of the agreement.