India has officially become a signatory to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a significant development that was realised on 20 July 2026. This milestone marks India as the 123rd member state to accept the agreement, which aims to promote sustainable practices in fisheries.

The Instrument of Acceptance was submitted by the Commerce Secretary of India to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, symbolising a formal commitment to the agreement. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry emphasised that India’s participation underscores its dedication to sustainable fisheries management and the protection of small-scale fishing communities.

Nature of the Agreement and Its Implications

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022, stands out as the first multilateral commitment aimed specifically at environmental sustainability within the context of fisheries. It prohibits subsidies connected to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as those related to overfished stocks and specific activities in unregulated high seas.

The agreement is mainly applicable to marine wild capture fishing and associated activities while leaving aquaculture and inland fisheries outside its reach. Given that a large portion of India’s seafood export revenue comes from aquaculture, particularly shrimp production, this distinction carries significant weight for the nation.

In its communication, the Ministry reiterated that India’s commitment to the agreement aligns with its domestic fisheries management framework, aimed at safeguarding the interests of traditional and smaller fishers. The move is also seen as part of India’s broader commitment to a rules-based trading system.

Negotiations and Future Commitments

India’s acceptance of the fisheries subsidies agreement follows extensive negotiations where officials advocated for enhanced protections for developing nations and small-scale fishermen. During WTO discussions, Indian representatives highlighted that large, industrial fishing fleets were primarily responsible for the overcapacity and depletion of marine resources, as opposed to local fishing communities.

The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026, concluded without an agreement on additional subsidy restrictions related to overcapacity and overfishing. India asserted that forthcoming regulations should impose stricter obligations on nations with heavily subsidised industrial fleets while ensuring that developing countries can continue to support their local livelihoods and food security.

India consistently maintains that any fisheries subsidy regulations should include adequate provisions for special and differential treatment for developing countries, advocating for extended transition periods and assurances that support for traditional and small-scale fisheries remains secure.

While India has now joined the first multilateral WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, it has made clear that this does not signal the end of broader negotiations in the area. Ongoing discussions aim to establish additional measures to address subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, which remain unresolved.

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