How is the boundary of any sea determined?

Every country has a definite border, which tells how much area it covers. You must have often heard about land borders between countries, like the border between India and Pakistan or the border between India and China. But do you know that countries have maritime borders along with land borders? How is it decided how far a country has rights in the sea? Let us understand this in simple language.

What is a maritime boundary?: A  maritime boundary is an area where a country has rights in the sea. Within this boundary, the country can use marine resources, such as fishing, trade, and other marine activities. India shares its maritime boundary with countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.

How is the maritime boundary determined?:  There is an international rule for determining maritime boundaries, called the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS-1982). This treaty came into force in 1994 and under it, the maritime boundary of every country is divided into three main parts:

Baseline:  This border is 12 nautical miles or about 22 kilometers from the land surface of a country. This area includes coastal areas and surrounding islands. The country to which it belongs has full authority here.

Territorial Sea:  This border extends up to 24 nautical miles or about 44 kilometers from the ground surface. A country has full rights in this area. This means that the water here and all the resources present in it belong to that country.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):  This limit is the largest, which extends up to 200 nautical miles i.e. about 370 kilometers. In this area, the country has the right to fish, exploit underwater resources, and carry out maritime trade.

How long is India's maritime boundary?: India's maritime boundary  is approximately 7,516.6 kilometers long. It includes the country's main coast, the Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman-Nicobar Islands. Within this boundary, India has rights over the sea and uses marine resources here.

How are maritime disputes resolved?

If any dispute arises regarding the maritime boundary between two countries, it is resolved under UNCLOS-1982. This international treaty provides a platform for resolving disputes, where problems are resolved through negotiations and agreement between the two countries. Maritime boundaries are as important for any country as its land boundaries. These boundaries give countries the right to trade and resources in the sea, which helps in economic development. India's maritime boundaries are also large, and managing them properly is important for the security and development of the country. With proper management, we can make proper use of our marine resources and move forward towards development.

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