India’s border dispute (Part I)

(A  tribute to all peace loving innocent hapless people of Pakistan & Pakistan/China Occupied Kashmir)

Sir Creek (Gujarat Border)

It is a 96 km strip of water/marshland that has been a bone of contention since the two countries India and Pakistan got divided. It is in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. These marshlands are uninhabited. 


The creek, which opens up into the Arabian Sea, divides the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat with the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is locally called 'Baan Ganga' which has roots from the Vedic Era. Sir Creek is named after the British representative who did the survey and demarcated the boundary.


The long dispute is from the mouth of Sir Creek to it's top and from there eastwards to the line named Western Terminus.


During monsoon between June-Sep, the creek floods and the area is only accessible by hovercraft due to unknown varying shallow depth where speed boats often get stuck. During winter the area is mostly dry with wet patches and home to many migratory birds including Flamingoes.

Green Dotted Line – Pakistan Claim / Red Dotted Line – International demarcation of Sir Creek.

Indian claim is as per a 1925 map where it is shown that the separating boundary of the then Government of Sindh and Princely state of Kutch is the centre of the channel. This principle is also supported by the Thalweg Doctrine in International Law, which states that river boundaries between two states be divided by the mid-channel being fair to both parties. 

Pakistan disputes to the application of the internationally recognized Thalweg Doctrine stating the water body in question is not navigable, which is one of the sub-clauses. India rejects the Pakistani stance stating the fact that the creek is highly navigable everyday during the high tide, and that fishing trawlers use it to go out to sea.

Pakistan tried in vain to take over this region by force in April 1965, to which India responded with more military might, which had disastrous effect on the Pak military and economy, the result of the war and its long term effect, is known to all.

In 1999 Pakistan tried to transgress into this part of the Indian territory by force, India responded by shooting down a Pakistani Navy Reconnaissance Aircraft. Since then the impasse goes on as New Delhi as usual has never asserted strongly over it’s legitimate territory and winnow out these forged claims. A lot of propaganda backed by ISI can be seen in the public domain but nothing positive outcome in favor of Pakistan has come by so far.

Although some International experts preach that Indian claim is based on presence of oil and gas in these region. But so far the available geological data speaks a different story. Nevertheless, India being legitimate in its claim should not give up its own territory at any cost.

Images: Courtesy Bharatrakshak.com

To be continued....