Sir Creek

Why in news?

The Defence Minister of India has warned Pakistan that “any misadventure in the Sir Creek sector will invite a decisive response”.

• Sir Creek – Is a 98-km uninhabited tidal estuary between in the Rann of Kutch marshlands, which opens up into the Arabian Sea.
• Name – It is named after a British representative; its original name was Ban Ganga.
• Location – To its east lies the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and to its west, the province of Sindh in Pakistan.
• Disputed territory – Between India and Pakistan along the International border, dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between Kutch and Sindh.
• Dispute – Post-Independence, after the India-Pakistan War of 1965, Pakistan claimed jurisdiction of over half of the Rann of Kutch.
• India argues the creek falls under the Thalweg principle because it remains navigable and is frequented by fishermen.
• Pakistan rejects this, claiming instead that the creek is not navigable, meaning the principle does not apply.

Thalweg Principle, a rule of international law that dictates the boundary between two states separated by a navigable river or waterway should follow the main navigable channel, or the line of the greatest depth.

This principle ensures that both nations have equal access to and use of the waterway for navigation

• Tribunal – While this dispute was settled by a tribunal in 1968 — India was granted 90% of the Rann and Pakistani claims were largely rejected — Sir Creek was not included in this resolution.
• Security – On the Indian side, the region is under the strong presence of Border Security Force, the Indian Army, the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Air Force.
• Settlement – This region is sparsely populated and difficult to police duo to its very inhospitable weather and terrain.
• Fauna – The region is home to poisonous snakes and scorpions.
• Significance - India considers the area as vital for oil and gas exploration as well as fishing rights.
• India’s major ports, Mundra and Kandla, located in the Gulf of Kutch, are also in close vicinity.

References

The Hindu | Marshland trap: on Sir Creek, Pakistan’s activities