Sir creek issue: A dispute that begs resolution

• Long standing dispute between India and Pakistan is turning out to be one of the biggest security threat for India.
• The Sir Creek dispute between India and Pakistan, which got its name from the British representative who negotiated the original dispute over firewood between the local rulers, is now turning out be more than just an unresolved border.
• The 96-km estuary between India and Pakistan, cutting through where Gujarat State and Sindh province meet
• This dispute is not so difficult to resolve, yet it lack political will from both side. Both countries are not able to agree on the exact boundary.
• The differences flow into the Arabian Sea creating a vast stretch of disputed water, where fishermen’s misery, terrorist designs and global drug syndicate interests are all converging.

Analysis:

• Pakistan claims the entire Sir Creek based on a 1914 agreement signed between the government of Sindh and rulers of Kutch. While, India claims that the boundary lies mid-channel, as was depicted in a map in 1925 and implemented with pillars placed to mark the boundary.
• This zone is Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich with gas and mineral deposits. So, any agreement on this zone will lead to considerable loss for one country.
• Sir Creek area is also a great fishing destination for hundreds of fishermen from both India and Pakistan. In the desperation for a great catch, many of their boats stray across the perceived boundaries, and they end up being arrested by the other side.
• This dispute between both countries leads to the intrusion of terrorist into India from Pakistan . 10 terrorist involved in Mumbai attack came through this route.
• The drug cartels make it a point to transact their business in the disputed waters, so that they are beyond the reach of both Indian and Pakistani agencies. Indications are that it is mostly drugs that they are trading, and the quantity and frequency show that the area could be among the world’s most active for trading centres.
• There are enough red flags being raised in Sir Creek, and the disputed seas off it. It is for India to grab the earliest opportunity to find a solution to what is a low-hanging fruit among the many India-Pakistan bilateral disputes.

By: Vishal