Maritime Borders of India

India, with its vast coastline and strategic location in the Indian Ocean, possesses one of the most extensive maritime domains in the world. The maritime borders of India define the limits of its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the adjacent sea areas, as recognised under international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982. These borders not only determine India’s rights over marine resources and navigation but also hold immense geopolitical, economic, and environmental significance.

Geographical Extent of India’s Maritime Domain

India’s mainland coastline extends for about 7,516.6 kilometres, comprising:

• 5,422 km along the mainland; and
• 2,094 km along the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal) and the Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea).

The country’s maritime boundaries span three major water bodies:

• The Arabian Sea to the west,
• The Bay of Bengal to the east, and
• The Indian Ocean to the south.

India’s southernmost point is Indira Point, located on Great Nicobar Island, which lies just 90 nautical miles (about 167 km) north of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island.

Concept of Maritime Zones

Under international law, as defined by UNCLOS, every coastal state exercises specific rights and jurisdiction over various maritime zones measured from its baseline—the low-water line along the coast. India’s maritime borders are accordingly divided into distinct zones:

1. Territorial Sea

• Extent: Up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the baseline.
• Legal Status: India exercises full sovereignty over this zone, similar to its land territory.
• Rights: Includes control over the airspace above, the seabed, and the subsoil.
• Foreign Vessels: Enjoy the right of innocent passage, provided they do not threaten India’s security or violate its laws.
• Legislation: Governed by the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.

2. Contiguous Zone

• Extent: Between 12 and 24 nautical miles from the baseline.
• Jurisdiction: India has the right to enforce laws related to customs, fiscal matters, immigration, and sanitation.
• Purpose: To prevent and punish infringement of laws occurring within its territory or territorial sea.

3. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

• Extent: Up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from the baseline.
• Rights: India enjoys sovereign rights for:
  • Exploration and exploitation of natural resources (both living and non-living).
  • Production of energy from water, currents, and wind.
  • Conservation and management of marine resources.
• Other States: Have rights of navigation, overflight, and laying of submarine cables and pipelines, subject to Indian consent.
• Significance: India’s EEZ covers an area of over 2.02 million square kilometres, almost two-thirds of its landmass.

4. Continental Shelf

• Extent: Extends up to 200 nautical miles, and may be extended to 350 nautical miles if the natural prolongation of the continental margin continues under the sea.
• Rights: India has exclusive rights to explore and exploit mineral and non-living resources beneath the seabed, including hydrocarbons and polymetallic nodules.
• Extended Shelf Claim: India submitted an extended continental shelf claim to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2009 for parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

5. High Seas and International Waters

• Beyond 200 nautical miles, the waters are considered international and open to all states for navigation, fishing, and scientific research under international law.
• No nation holds sovereignty over the high seas.

Neighbouring Maritime Borders

India shares maritime boundaries with seven countries, many of which were formally demarcated through bilateral agreements:

Important Maritime Disputes and Resolutions

1. Sir Creek Dispute (India–Pakistan):
   • Sir Creek is a 96-km tidal estuary in the Rann of Kutch, where both countries claim differing interpretations of the boundary line.
   • The unresolved issue affects the delimitation of the maritime boundary in the Arabian Sea.
2. India–Bangladesh Maritime Boundary Dispute:
   • Dispute over EEZ and continental shelf resolved in 2014 by ITLOS, granting Bangladesh around 19,467 sq km and recognising India’s rights over the rest.
3. India–Sri Lanka Fishing Issues:
   • Ongoing concern over Indian fishermen crossing into Sri Lankan waters, especially near the Palk Strait, leading to diplomatic and humanitarian tensions.

Strategic and Economic Importance

India’s maritime domain holds immense significance for security, economy, trade, and environment:
1. Economic Resources:

• The EEZ and continental shelf are rich in oil, gas, and mineral deposits, including polymetallic nodules containing manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
• India has been allocated a site in the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration.

2. Trade and Commerce:

• About 95% of India’s trade by volume and 68% by value is conducted through sea routes.
• Major ports such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Cochin serve as vital nodes in global maritime trade.

3. Defence and Security:

• India’s maritime borders are crucial for national security, patrolled by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
• Strategic locations such as the Andaman and Nicobar Command provide India with surveillance over major sea lanes like the Malacca Strait.

4. Environmental Protection:

• The marine environment faces threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
• India participates in international initiatives like MARPOL (Marine Pollution Convention) and UNCLOS to protect its marine ecology.

Legal and Administrative Framework

India regulates and protects its maritime interests through a combination of national and international laws:

• The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.
• The Coast Guard Act, 1978.
• The Indian Ports Act, 1908, and Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
• UNCLOS, 1982, which India ratified in 1995, provides the legal basis for defining maritime boundaries.

Blue Economy and Future Prospects

The concept of the Blue Economy emphasises sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and environmental health. India’s initiatives under the Sagarmala Project and Deep Ocean Mission aim to:

• Modernise ports and enhance coastal infrastructure.
• Promote ocean-based renewable energy, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology.
• Strengthen India’s role as a maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region.