Importance
- 96km water strait b/w India & Pak in the Rann of Kutch area
- possible presence of oil & gas concentration
- huge fishing resource (among the largest fishing grounds in Asia)
Cause of Dispute
- based on diverse interpretations of the maritime boundary line b/w Kutch & Sindh
- Pak claims entire Sir Creek on basis of Bombay Govt. resolution of 1914 which places Sir Creek as a part of Sindh
- India claims that the boundary lies mid channel as per a map drawn in 1925
- India claim is also based upon the intl. Thalweg Doctrine according to which river boundaries b/w two states may be divided by mid channel if the water body in navigable
Conclusion
- Both Sir Creek & Siachen Glacier Issue should not be considered low hanging fruits as both areas are of strategic importance of India
- India has gained its present position in these with utmost sacrifice & courage