What is Sir Creek Dispute – Burning Issue – Free PDF Download

SIR CREEK

•  A narrow, sheltered waterway, especially an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh.

 SIR CREEK

• Sir Creek is a 96-km strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. Originally named Ban Ganga, Sir Creek is named after a British representative.
•  The Creek opens up in the Arabian Sea and roughly divides the Kutch region of Gujarat from the Sindh Province of Pakistan.

WHAT’S THE DISPUTE?

• Pakistan claims the entire creek as per paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914 signed between then the Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch.

DISPUTE

• The resolution, which demarcated the boundaries between the two territories, included the creek as part of Sindh, thus setting the boundary as the eastern flank of the creek popularly known as Green Line.

 INDIA’S CLAIM

• Paragraph 9 of the verdict states that the border between Kutch and Sind lies to the east of Sir Creek, whereas paragraph 10 of the verdict further qualifies that “since Sir Creek is navigable most of the year.
• According to international law and the thalweg principle, a boundary can only be fixed in the middle of the navigable channel, which meant that it has be divided between Sindh and Kutch, and thereby India and Pakistan.

” THALWEG PRINCIPLE

• Under international law, a thalweg is the middle of the primary navigable channel of a waterway that defines the boundary line between states.
• Also under international law, thalwegs can acquire special significance because disputed river borders are often deemed to run along the river’s thalweg.

 HOW DISPUTE EVOLVED

•  Till 1954, the borders around Sir Creek were virtually open and there was a free movement of people and material from both sides. After 1954, the countries started rigid stances on borders and a controversy evolved around Sir Creek. Till 1968, India and Pakistan were competing each other to provide historical evidence that it belonged to them.

 POST WAR TRIBUNAL

•  After the 1965 war, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson successfully persuaded both countries to end hostilities and set up a tribunal to resolve the dispute.
• Since 1969, 12 rounds of talks have been held over the issue of Sir Creek, but both sides have denied reaching any solution.

United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea(UNCLOS).

 1999 ATLANTIQUE INCIDENT

•  This disputed region is known for the Atlantique Incident which occurred in August 1999. The Indian IAF’s MiG-21FL fighters shot down the Pakistan Navy’s reconnaissance plane
• the Breguet Atlantique which was carrying 16 naval officers on board, for an alleged airspace violation of Indian airspace on August 10, 1999. The episode took place just a month after the Kargil war, creating a tense atmosphere between India and Pakistan.

WHY IS SIR CREEK IMPORTANT?

• Dispute mainly because of the fishing resources as it’s considered to be one of the largest fishing grounds in Asia Said to be rich in hydrocarbons and shale gas – immense economic potential Finally, the pride of both the nations is at stake.

Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF

Sharing is caring!