India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on 20 July 2026, thereby becoming a Party to the Agreement, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
- The AFS focuses on subsidies related to marine wild capture fishing and fishing-related activities at sea. Aquaculture and inland fisheries remain outside the scope of this pact, according to the source.
- It prohibits subsidies linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fishing of overfished stocks, aiming to address unsustainable fishing practices that threaten marine resources.
- The pact also creates a more equitable global fisheries regime by disciplining harmful subsidies that support large, heavily subsidised industrial fishing fleets operated by distant water fishing nations.
Implications for India
- "This benefits countries like India, where fisheries are predominantly small-scale and which are not major participants in industrial fishing," the commerce ministry statement said.
- India's domestic fisheries management framework is in alignment with the agreement and safeguards the interests of traditional and small-scale fishers.
- The predominance of aquaculture-based shrimp in India's seafood exports, which fall outside the scope of the agreement, ensures the continued resilience and competitiveness of the country's seafood export sector.
Timeline and Entry into Force
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Adoption by consensus at 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva | June 2022 |
| Agreement entered into force | 15 September 2025 |
| India deposited Instrument of Acceptance | 20 July 2026 |
The agreement entered into force only after two-thirds of WTO members (166 at present) deposited their instruments of acceptance. Once that threshold was reached, the pact became legally effective for those countries that had accepted it.
Broader Context
The AFS is the first multilateral WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective. It was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022. The pact seeks to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine fisheries resources while providing appropriate flexibilities for developing and least-developed country members.
For import/export professionals and trade policy analysts, India's accession ensures alignment with global trade rules on fisheries subsidies. The exclusion of aquaculture—a major component of India's seafood exports—means continued competitiveness in international markets. The agreement's focus on disciplining industrial fishing subsidies could reduce competition from heavily subsidized fleets, potentially benefiting Indian exporters. Monitoring implementation and enforcement by WTO bodies will be key for stakeholders.
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