Sir Creek region

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a strong warning to Pakistan over the Sir Creek region, reiterating India’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity.

About Sir Creek

Sir Creek, originally known as ‘Ban Ganga’, is a 96-kilometre-long tidal estuary along the India–Pakistan border, situated between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan). It flows into the Arabian Sea and lies at the heart of a long-standing maritime boundary dispute between the two nations. The creek derived its present name from a British official during the colonial period.

Historical Context of the Dispute

The Sir Creek dispute traces back to 1914, when the Government of Bombay mediated between the Sindh and Kutchh regions of undivided India. The issue re-emerged post-Partition and escalated after the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Following Pakistan’s defeat, both countries referred the Rann of Kutchh and Sir Creek boundary dispute to a UN Tribunal under the 1965 “Agreements for the Determination of the Border”.

• India’s claim: The boundary follows the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch, as reflected in pre-partition maps, requiring only demarcation.
• Pakistan’s claim: Advocates the median line principle, seeking to divide the area equally, drawing on international laws governing inland seas and lakes.

Strategic and Economic Significance

The outcome of the Sir Creek dispute directly affects the maritime boundary delimitation and the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of both countries in the Arabian Sea.
An EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (approx. 230 miles) from a nation’s coastline, granting exclusive rights over the exploitation of living and non-living resources.

Environmental Importance

Sir Creek forms a vital part of the Indus River Delta ecosystem, home to mangrove forests and rich marine biodiversity that depend on the region’s tidal patterns.

(Source: IE)