Context
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s warning to Pakistan over increased military activity near Sir Creek has reignited attention on one of South Asia’s oldest unresolved border disputes. The 96-km tidal estuary separating Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan) holds immense strategic, economic, and geopolitical significance, with implications for maritime security and resource rights in the Arabian Sea.
Key Highlights
- Strategic Warning:
Rajnath Singh cautioned Pakistan against any “misadventure” in the Sir Creek region, citing military buildup and new infrastructure by Pakistan near the boundary. - Geographical Context:
Sir Creek is a narrow, 96-km-long tidal estuary located in the Rann of Kutch, serving as a natural boundary between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan). - Boundary Claims:
- Pakistan’s Claim: The entire creek falls under its territory.
- India’s Claim: The border should follow the mid-channel line, consistent with international maritime law and the Thalweg principle (which uses the deepest navigable channel as the boundary).
- Economic Importance:
The dispute affects the delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in the Arabian Sea—impacting potential oil, gas, and fishing resources.
Significance
- Strategic Significance:
Sir Creek lies close to Karachi, Pakistan’s major naval and commercial hub, making it strategically sensitive. India has strengthened its military and surveillance presence in the area to counter threats of terror infiltration, smuggling, and illegal maritime activity. - Energy Potential:
Both sides believe the region could hold untapped hydrocarbon reserves, particularly valuable for India’s energy diversification and Pakistan’s struggling economy. - Historical Background:
The dispute traces back to the early 20th century, when Kutch (then under British India) and Sindh (under the Bombay Presidency) disagreed on jurisdictional boundaries.- The issue resurfaced after the 1965 India–Pakistan War, when both nations sought to demarcate their land and maritime borders.
- Bilateral Negotiations:
- Talks began in 1989 as part of a broader peace dialogue.
- Last formal discussion took place in June 2012, with technical teams from both sides conducting joint surveys.
- A comprehensive resolution framework was agreed upon in December 2015, but progress stalled following the Pathankot terror attack (January 2016), which derailed India–Pakistan dialogue.
- Recent Developments:
India remains open to a dialogue-based resolution, but growing Chinese involvement in Pakistan’s coastal projects, particularly near Gwadar and the Rann of Kutch, has raised fresh security and strategic concerns.
Geostrategic & Economic Implications
- The outcome of the dispute will influence India’s EEZ boundaries, maritime resource access, and security architecture along its western seaboard.
- It holds implications for regional energy exploration, fisheries management, and freedom of navigation in the Arabian Sea.
- The Sir Creek area is also a known infiltration corridor, necessitating joint coastal surveillance by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and BSF.