Places in News: Sir Creek
Context:
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, drew attention to the fact that even after 78 years of Independence, Pakistan continues to create disputes over the Sir Creek Sector, despite India’s repeated efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
He pointed out that Pakistan’s recent expansion of military infrastructure in the Sir Creek Sector reflects its ill intent.
Sir Creek Estuary:
It is a 96-km tidal estuary located on in the marshy Rann of Kutch that opens into the Arabian Sea, separating India’s Gujarat from Pakistan’s Sindh.
It’s an estuarine, mudflat-rich zone whose shifting channels and siltation have altered the coastline over time.
It is originally known as Ban Ganga and it was renamed Sir Creek after a British official.
While once navigable, the creek is now largely unnavigable due to silting.
The Dispute between India and Pakistan:
The core of the dispute lies in the demarcation of the boundary line along the estuary.
Pakistan's Stance:
It claims the entire creek.
It argued that the boundary should lie on the eastern bank.
This claim is based on a 1914 resolution between the then Government of Sindh and the Rao of Kutch.
India's Stance:
India argues that the boundary should be in the mid-channel of the estuary, in accordance with the thalweg principle of international maritime law.
India contends that the 1914 resolution was never ratified and therefore is not a binding international agreement.
A 1925 map, which shows the boundary in the middle of the creek supports our position.
Economic and Ecological Significance:
The region is rich hydrocarbon potential (oil and gas reserves) offshore and is one of the largest fishing grounds in Asia.
The exact land terminus fixes the baseline for EEZ/continental-shelf rights, with significant revenue implications from fisheries and possible seabed resources.
The area is ecologically sensitive. It consists of a marshy and fragile ecosystem.