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Abstract


ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES - Volume 2, Special Issue 1, February 2021

Pages: 23-46

Maritime Boundaries and Sir Creek Dispute: Re-Appraising India’s Options

Cmde SL Deshmukh NM (Retd), Dr R Srinivasan

Category: Strategic Studies

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Abstract:

The pre-eminence of maritime power is very well illustrated by history of the contemporary world. Importance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) for national economies and as a result, global race to claim and control various parts of oceans/seas has become intense over the years. In view of the current geo-political scenarios, adherence to the existing international laws- related to seas and economic zones codified in the form of UNCLOS has become necessary to resolve issues related to maritime boundaries and their protection. India appreciates importance of UNCLOS and has been trying to lawfully resolve its long pending maritime dispute with Pakistan, albeit with limited success. For India, the Sir Creek area would always be of strategic importance in view of its national security and economic well-being. There is ample historical evidence in support of India claims in Sir Creek. There are also many scholarly studies that have examined this boundary issue with a view to find solutions within the ambit of UNCLOS. This paper traces the concept of maritime boundaries and some of the important scholarly solutions for resolving the Sir Creek dispute. It also examines the emerging geopolitical scenarios in the Arabian Sea and finds that a sense of urgency is attached to finding an early and amicable solution to the issue. Keeping these factors in mind, this paper also suggests actions needed to be taken by India to protect its economic and security interests.

Keywords: Maritime Boundaries, Sir Creek, India, Pakistan, UNCLOS, dispute resolution, geopolitics

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Additional References that may be of interest to scholars:

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Joshi M, (16 Dec 2012), Times of India, The troubled water for Sir Creek, Retrieved from: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/sir-creek-dispute-gujarat-chief-minister-narendra-mod-rann-of-kutchmaritime-boundary-124418-2012-12-16

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DOI: 10.47362/EJSSS.2021.2103

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.47362/EJSSS.2021.2103