Expert Explains: Why India needs to develop its deep sea capabilities

Last month, India completed wet testing of its Matsya-6000 submersible, capable of diving up to 6 km below the surface to look for underwater minerals off the coast. The launch of the first deep-sea manned vehicle is planned for later this year — it will put India in a select group of nations with the capability to send humans to these depths. Last week, China unveiled a compact deep sea cable-cutting device that can be mounted on certain submersibles — and which is capable of severing the world's most fortified underwater communication or power lines. China reportedly operates the largest…