Srinivasa Kumar Tumalla, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has underscored the importance of the Deep Ocean Mission for India’s future, while seeking to allay concerns of coastal communities regarding potential impacts of deep-sea mining for seabed minerals on fishing and livelihoods. India’s Matsya-6000 500m trial in Bay of Bengal advances Samudrayaan’s crewed 6000m goal, with NIOT-ISRO collaboration and human-rated life support.