Md Nazrul: A discussion meeting organized by Nagorik Forum in Dhaka recently highlighted the importance of under-sea resources for the prosperity of Bangladesh, suggested ways to tap the same and urged the government to proactively engage India for early settlement of the same. Resolution of maritime boundary dispute is also significant for the reason that Bangladesh has already been bearing the brunt of the non-resolution of water sharing dispute with India which despite the lapse of 50 years, has somehow managed to usurp the rightful water share of Bangladesh from the common rivers. Continued border-killings of Bangladeshis by BSF is another manifestation of India’s disregard to Bangladesh’s interests and sensitivities on the issue. 

Interestingly, after the settlement through the International Tribunal, the Government of India also published a gazette regarding the maritime boundaries of Bangladesh and India. In this verdict, both Bangladesh and India praised the decision of the International Tribunal. Bangladesh-India then hailed the decision as a win-win for the friendship and interests of both the countries. At that time, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued an official statement. Mentioned there, “The settlement of the maritime boundary will further enhance mutual understanding and goodwill between India and Bangladesh by bringing to closure a long-pending issue. This paves the way for the economic development of this part of the Bay of Bengal, which will be beneficial to both countries”.

Bangladesh first raised the demand for continental shelf at the UN in 2011. But after settling the border dispute with Myanmar and India, the continent amended that demand and submitted it to the commission again in 2020. Within six months of Bangladesh`s demand for a revised continental shelf, India wrote a letter to the UN objecting. On 17 April 2021, India raised an objection to Bangladesh`s demand for the continental shelf in an official letter to the United Nations. At the heart of the current dispute between India and Bangladesh over the continental shelf is the baseline of the two countries. The two countries have complaints and objections against each other over this baseline. This baseline measures 12 nautical miles from coast to sea, 200 nautical miles to special economic zones and then to the continental shelf.

Following the court`s ruling on maritime boundaries in 2014, Bangladesh has set the baseline in accordance with the court`s ruling and international law and regulations. India has not amended their baseline since the court ruling. The problem of gray area remains as India has not amended the baseline. In particular, Bangladesh has objections to the 8th and 69th points of the Indian baseline. According to Bangladeshi experts, this `gray area` will not exist if India amends its baseline in compliance with the court`s verdict.

This Asia-Pacific region is now becoming the most important for international trade and transportation. Bangladesh also has plans to harness marine resources. Disputes now mean barring the use of marine resources, which will hinder our economic and geographical development. As a result, no international organization will come forward to carry out any survey and extraction of mineral resources in the sea area through the call of Bangladesh. In this way, they are trying to hinder our economic development.

As a neighboring country, we have border relations with India. Raksha is still leaking at the land border. Innocent Bangladeshis are constantly being killed at the border by the Indian BSF. Disputes over land boundaries have led to water and sea disputes with India. How can friendship with neighboring India be maintained in the face of so many disputes? India also needs to think about this.