About Sir Creek

• It is a 96-km-long tidal estuary.
• Location:  Extends into the Arabian Sea, roughly dividing:
  • Sindh province (Pakistan) and
  • Kutch region (Gujarat, India).
• Sir Creek Boundary Dispute: Dispute traces back to post-1947 partition and differing interpretations of the 1914 agreement between the Sindh Government (British India) and the Kutch rulers.
• India’s Position: Advocates settlement based on the Thalweg Principle (international maritime law principle).
  • Thalweg Principle: Boundary should be drawn along the midline of the navigable channel of the river/creek.
• Pakistan’s Position: Argues that Sir Creek is non-navigable. Hence, the Thalweg Principle does not apply.

United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS): 

• Established Under:  United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.
• Mandate:
  • To facilitate the implementation of Article 76 of UNCLOS related to the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
  • To consider and make recommendations on submissions made by coastal states concerning the outer limits of their continental shelf.
  • Does NOT settle disputes: Disputes between states must be resolved bilaterally or through other international mechanisms (not by CLCS).
  • Settlement Basis: Coastal states can fix their continental shelf limits based on CLCS recommendations, which become final and binding.

Maritime Zones