Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations
Medium⏱️ 7 min read
international relations
📖 Introduction
<h4>Introduction to India's Maritime Disputes</h4><p>India, with its extensive coastline, shares maritime boundaries with several neighbouring nations. While some boundaries are well-demarcated, others remain points of contention, leading to ongoing <strong>maritime disputes</strong>. These disputes often involve claims over territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), and resource-rich areas.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>Understanding these disputes is crucial for comprehending India's <strong>foreign policy challenges</strong> and its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.</p></div><h4>Dispute with Pakistan: Sir Creek</h4><p>The <strong>Sir Creek</strong> dispute is a long-standing maritime boundary issue between <strong>India</strong> and <strong>Pakistan</strong>. Sir Creek is a 96-km tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch marshlands that opens into the Arabian Sea.</p><p>The primary contention revolves around the <strong>demarcation of the boundary</strong> in the marshy, uninhabited region. Pakistan argues for the boundary to be in the middle of the creek, while India asserts it should be along the eastern bank, as per the 1914 Bombay Government Resolution.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Sir Creek:</strong> A disputed 96-km tidal estuary between India's Gujarat state and Pakistan's Sindh province. It is rich in fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves.</p></div><h4>Dispute with Bangladesh: New Moore Island</h4><p>The dispute over <strong>New Moore Island</strong> (also known as <strong>Purbasha Island</strong> by India and <strong>South Talpatti Island</strong> by Bangladesh) in the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong> was another significant maritime issue between <strong>India</strong> and <strong>Bangladesh</strong>.</p><p>This small, uninhabited island emerged in the Bay of Bengal after a cyclonic storm in 1970. Both nations claimed sovereignty over it, citing its potential for oil and natural gas reserves and its importance for maritime boundary delimitation.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>New Moore Island:</strong> A transient, uninhabited island that emerged in the <strong>Bay of Bengal</strong>. Its existence was temporary, and it submerged again due to rising sea levels.</p></div><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>The <strong>Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)</strong> played a crucial role in resolving the broader India-Bangladesh maritime boundary dispute, which included considerations related to New Moore Island's impact. The ruling ultimately favoured <strong>Bangladesh</strong> in the overall maritime boundary delimitation, implicitly settling the island's relevance.</p></div>
💡 Key Takeaways
- •India has two notable maritime disputes with neighbours: Sir Creek with Pakistan and New Moore Island with Bangladesh.
- •The Sir Creek dispute (India-Pakistan) is over boundary demarcation in a tidal estuary, stemming from a 1914 colonial resolution.
- •The New Moore Island dispute (India-Bangladesh) involved a temporary island in the Bay of Bengal, which was implicitly resolved by a PCA ruling on broader maritime boundaries.
- •The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favour of Bangladesh in the overall maritime boundary delimitation, which included the area of New Moore Island.
- •Maritime disputes are crucial for resource security, regional stability, and adherence to international law (UNCLOS).
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📚 Reference Sources
•United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) text
•Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) rulings and reports on India-Bangladesh maritime boundary case
•Academic papers and analyses on India-Pakistan Sir Creek dispute
•Drishti IAS study material (original source)