Recently, The Centre informed Parliament while reiterating support for the UNCLOS that :-
- India remained committed to promoting a free, open and rules-based order rooted in International law and undaunted by coercion.
- Government of India is committed to safeguarding maritime interests and strengthening security in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) to ensure a favourable and positive maritime environment.
UNCLOS(The United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea)
Signed:- 10 December 1982
- According to UNCLOS, Marine areas divide into five main zones:-
- Internal Waters
- Territorial Sea
- Contiguous Zone
- Exclusive Economic zone
- The High Seas
- Base Line:- It is the line along the coast from which the seaward limits are measured.
- Internal Waters:- Covers all water and waterways on the landward side of the baseline.
- In this line, each coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource.
- Territorial Sea:- Each coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource up to 12 nautical miles(22km) from the baseline.
- Contiguous Zone:-Here a coastal state has right to only enforce laws in four specific areas(customs, taxation, immigration, and pollution) up to 24 nm from its baselines.
- Exclusive Economic Zone:- Extend up to 200nm from the baseline. Within This area, the coastal nation has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources.
- High Seas:- The area beyond the EEZ are referred to as the high seas.
- This area is beyond any national jurisdiction.
