UNCLOS, Exclusive Economic Zones & Blue Economy
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adopted in 1982, establishes the international legal order governing ocean territories, navigation, and resource exploitation. It defines clear maritime zones measured from territorial baselines: Internal Waters, Territorial Sea (up to 12 nautical miles), Contiguous Zone (up to 24 nautical miles), Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, up to 200 nautical miles), and the High Seas beyond national jurisdiction. Within its EEZ, a coastal state exercises sovereign rights over living and non-living natural resources. India's Blue Economy policy emphasizes sustainable coastal shipping, marine tourism, offshore energy, mariculture, and deep-sea mineral exploration while adhering to International Seabed Authority mandates for the international seabed Area.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- Under UNCLOS, the Territorial Sea extends up to 12 nautical miles and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from baselines.
- India possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning approximately 2.37 million square kilometres.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under UNCLOS, is headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica.
- India's Sagarmala programme focuses on port-led industrialization and modernizing maritime logistics corridors.