Maritime Boundary Issues Between India and Bangladesh

Joshua Alexander, the founder of Maritime Frontiers, discussed the complex maritime boundary issues between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the existence of "grey areas" that require enhanced cooperation between the two nations.

Resolution of Disputes

• India and Bangladesh resolved their maritime boundary disputes by approaching a tribunal and agreeing to abide by its decision.
• The UN Tribunal awarded Bangladesh 19,467 sq. km out of the 25,602 sq. km area in the Bay of Bengal in 2014.

Grey Areas

• Grey areas are regions where Bangladesh has jurisdiction over the sea bed, while India has jurisdiction over the water column.
• Effective management of these areas requires cooperation between both countries to resolve jurisdiction conflicts.

Port Modernization and Piracy Control

• The interim government's efforts to modernize Bangladeshi ports, such as leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World, are seen as positive steps.
• The Hasina government's measures have significantly reduced piracy near the Chittagong port, improving its security status with international cooperation from India and the USA.

Future Prospects

• Bangladesh is encouraged to leverage its strategic location in the Bay of Bengal for future shipping trends, including autonomous vessels.

The insights were shared during the Bay of Bengal Conversation organized by the Centre for Governance Studies in Dhaka, emphasizing the need for foresighted planning in port development.