Description

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Picture Courtesy: INDIANEXPRESS

Context

The Defence Minister issued a strong warning to Pakistan against any "misadventure" in the Sir Creek sector.

What is the Sir Creek Dispute?

Sir Creek was originally named 'Ban Ganga' and was renamed after a British official during the colonial era.

Sir Creek is a 96-km tidal estuary in the uninhabited marshlands of the Rann of Kutch, separating Gujarat in India from the Sindh province in Pakistan.

The dispute originates from differing interpretations of the maritime boundary line between the two nations.

Pakistan's Position: Pakistan claims the entire creek, based on a 1914 resolution by the then Bombay Government, which it argues placed the boundary on the eastern bank of the creek.
India's Position: India quoting the Thalweg Principle, a recognized international law principle for river boundaries between states.

The principle suggests the boundary should lie in the middle of the main navigable channel.
India maintains that the creek is navigable during high tide and is used by fishermen, a claim Pakistan disputes.

In 1968, an international tribunal settled the larger Rann of Kutch dispute, but it left the question of Sir Creek unresolved.

Why is Sir Creek Strategically and Economically Important?

Strategic Significance

For Pakistan, the creek is strategically important for the defense of Karachi, its largest city and economic hub.
For India, the area is a security concern as it could be used as an infiltration point for terrorists.

Economic Value

Fisheries: Sir Creek is one of Asia's largest fishing grounds, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen in both Gujarat and Sindh.
Oil and Gas: The region is believed to hold significant untapped reserves of oil and gas beneath the seabed.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): The boundary at Sir Creek directly impacts the demarcation of both countries' EEZs in the Arabian Sea.

An EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from the coast and grants a nation sovereign rights to explore and use the marine resources within it.

Ecological Importance

Sir Creek is an ecologically sensitive wetland area. It is home to flamingoes and other migratory birds, making its conservation crucial for regional biodiversity.

Current Status and the way Forward

Bilateral talks to resolve the dispute have been stalled; the last formal round was held in 2012. India advocated for a bilateral resolution based on the Simla Accord of 1972, while Pakistan sought international arbitration.

Recent increase in military presence highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. A mutually agreed demarcation of the boundary could open up opportunities for joint exploration of resources and enhanced maritime security in the region.

A resolution of the Sir Creek dispute could serve as a confidence-building measure in the relationship between India and Pakistan.

Conclusion

The unresolved Sir Creek dispute fuels India-Pakistan tensions, as fishermen face arrests for crossing unmarked waters, reflecting deep mistrust, economic stakes, and historical disagreements.

Source: INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Sir Creek dispute:

The dispute originated after the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Pakistan claims the whole of the creek based on the Thalweg Principle.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The origins of the dispute can be traced back to the pre-independence era, specifically to a 1914 resolution by the British government of Bombay.

Statement 2 is incorrect: India claims the boundary should be based on the Thalweg Principle. Pakistan claims the entire creek based on a different interpretation of a 1914 resolution and a map that places the boundary on the eastern bank of the creek.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sir Creek is a 96-kilometer long tidal estuary in the marshy wetlands of the Rann of Kutch. It forms a natural boundary between India's Gujarat state and Pakistan's Sindh province before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

The dispute is a long-standing one that dates back to the colonial era, arising from conflicting interpretations of boundary lines established in that period. After the 1947 Partition, the issue of where to draw the maritime boundary in the creek became a major territorial disagreement between the two countries.

Sir Creek's location makes it a sensitive border area for both nations. It provides a direct maritime approach to Pakistan's Karachi Port, a key naval and economic hub. The area is also seen as a potential route for smuggling and terrorist infiltration.