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Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations - UPSC International Relations
What is Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations in UPSC International Relations?
Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations is a key topic under International Relations for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: 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.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations important for UPSC exam?
Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations is a Medium-level topic in UPSC International Relations. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations for UPSC?
To prepare Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for International Relations. (5) Write practice answers linking Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations for UPSC
- 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).
Other Maritime Disputes of India with Neighbouring Nations
Medium⏱️ 7 min read
international relations
📖 Introduction
Introduction to India's Maritime Disputes
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 maritime disputes. These disputes often involve claims over territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), and resource-rich areas.
Understanding these disputes is crucial for comprehending India's foreign policy challenges and its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Dispute with Pakistan: Sir Creek
The Sir Creek dispute is a long-standing maritime boundary issue between India and Pakistan. Sir Creek is a 96-km tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch marshlands that opens into the Arabian Sea.
The primary contention revolves around the demarcation of the boundary 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.
Sir Creek: 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.
Dispute with Bangladesh: New Moore Island
The dispute over New Moore Island (also known as Purbasha Island by India and South Talpatti Island by Bangladesh) in the Bay of Bengal was another significant maritime issue between India and Bangladesh.
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.
New Moore Island: A transient, uninhabited island that emerged in the Bay of Bengal. Its existence was temporary, and it submerged again due to rising sea levels.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) 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 Bangladesh in the overall maritime boundary delimitation, implicitly settling the island's relevance.
💡 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).
🧠 Memory Techniques
95% Verified Content
📚 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)