Context:
India has expanded its extended continental shelf claim in the central Arabian Sea by nearly 10,000 square kilometers, while modifying earlier submissions to sidestep a long-standing maritime dispute with Pakistan. The updated documents were submitted this month to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
Understanding Extended Continental Shelf (ECS)
- Coastal states have exclusive rights over their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) up to 200 nautical miles.
- Beyond the EEZ, countries can claim additional seabed areas by proving geologically that the seabed is a natural prolongation of their landmass.
- Extended continental shelves allow countries to explore and exploit valuable seabed resources like polymetallic nodules, oil, and minerals.
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a major body of water in the northern Indian Ocean, playing a significant role in international trade and regional maritime activities. It is bordered by several countries and regions:
- West: Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden, and Guardafui Channel
- Northwest: Gulf of Oman and Iran
- North: Pakistan
- East: India
- Southeast: Laccadive Sea and the Maldives
- Southwest: Somalia
Key Characteristics:
- Total Area: 3,862,000 km² (1,491,000 sq mi)
- Maximum Depth: 5,395 meters (17,700 feet)
Strategic Waterways:
- Gulf of Aden: Connects the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
- Gulf of Oman: Located in the northwest, it links the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf.
The Arabian Sea is vital for global shipping routes, especially for oil and cargo traffic between the East and West. It has also been a historical center for trade and cultural exchange.
India’s Strategy
- With the addition of the new claims, India’s extended continental shelf could reach 1.2 million sq km, combining with its 2 million sq km EEZ to create a seabed and sub-seabed area nearly equivalent to its land area of 3.274 million sq km, according to the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
- India originally submitted its claim in 2009 across the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea.
Handling Disputes
- Pakistan objected to parts of India’s earlier claims in 2021, citing overlaps near the disputed Sir Creek area between Gujarat and Sindh.
- Following Pakistan’s objection, the CLCS rejected India’s entire Arabian Sea claim in 2023.
- In response, on April 3, 2025, India split its claim into two partial submissions, ensuring its uncontested claim in the central Arabian Sea is prioritized for approval.
International Dynamics
- Some overlaps exist between India’s claims and Oman’s, but both countries have a 2010 agreement that recognizes the boundary as pending delimitation without dispute.
- India also faces challenges in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean regions, with contests from Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Significance
- Strengthening its seabed claims boosts India’s access to strategic underwater resources and enhances its maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region.
