Law of the Sea
The Department of Ocean Development is the nodal agency
for implementation of the provisions of United Nations Convention of the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS), in India. UNCLOS is an important instrument, which
establishes the framework and mechanisms for management of oceans. India
ratified the Convention in June 1995. With coming into force of United Nations
Convention on Law of the Sea, the institutions such as International Seabed
Authority (ISBA) and Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf(CLCS)
came into existence. India has been re-elected in the Commission on the Limits
of Continental Shelf for the second term for a period of 5 years in the year
2002. India is elected on all the institutions established under United Nations
Convention on Law of the Sea. viz. International Seabed Authority, Commission
on Limits of Continental Shelf and International Tribunal on Law of the Sea.
India regularly participates in the meetings of ISBA, CLCS and also in the
meeting of States Parties on Law of the Sea (SPLOS) and continues to play the
key role in decision making in matters on Law of the Sea.
Delineation of Outer Limits of Continental Shelf
According to the provisions
of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the coastal State
that intends to delineate the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200
nautical miles is required to submit particulars of such limits along with the
supporting scientific and technical data. The UNCLOS came into force in
November 1994 and India ratified it in June 1995. If delineation is properly
undertaken, India would be in a position to gain substantial area beyond the
EEZ. It is required to be submitted by May 2009 and would be examined by
the Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS). The National Centre
for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) at Goa, an autonomous body
under the DOD, is coordinating this national endeavour with active co-operation
and participation of all national institutions.
Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission
Established in 1960 under
UNESCO, the Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) is
promoting global co-operation in marine scientific investigations, ocean services
and capacity building in developing countries through the concerted efforts of
all the 127 member states. India through its continued participation in IOGOOS,
is contributing to the growth of oceanographic research and services.
COMNAP/SCALOP/ATCM Meetings
After becoming a member of the
Antarctic Treaty, India continues to participate in the meeting of the Council
of Managers of National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP) and Standing
Committee of Antarctic and Logistic Operations (SCALOP), Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Bilateral Programmes
India signed bilateral agreements with several
countries including Russia, China, Portugal and Mauritius in last 5 years and
has successfully implemented collaborative programmes in Myanmar,
Mauritius, and Seychelles in the field of Ocean Science and Technology. India
organised 5 days training programme for Sri Lanka and Myanmar on
Delineation of Outer Limits of Continental Shelf at NCAOR, Goa.
