Why in News? 

India has recently expanded its claim in the Central Arabian Sea, increasing the extent of its extended continental shelf by nearly 10,000 square kilometres. To avoid escalating a long-standing maritime boundary dispute with Pakistan, India has also modified its earlier claim. 

Dispute Over Maritime Boundary 

• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Coastal nations have special rights over marine resources in their EEZ, extending up to 200 nautical miles from their coastline. 
  • This area extends continuously from the landmass to the seabed. 
  • It is considered part of the country's extended continental shelf. 
• India initially submitted its claim in 2009 to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), a UN body. 
• In 2021, Pakistan objected, particularly regarding the disputed Sir Creek region. 
• In March 2023, the CLCS rejected India's original claim in the Arabian Sea but permitted submission of a modified claim. 

Diagrammatic representation of Exclusive Economic Zone  

 About the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) 

• CLCS headquarters: United Nations Headquarters, New York. 
• Objective: To assist in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding the extension of a country’s continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. 
• Nature of Recommendations: The recommendations issued by CLCS are final and binding on coastal states.