Survey work on to settle Indo-Pak sea stretch dispute

Jaisalmer, Feb 9 (UNI) At least 90 spots have been identified in Arabian Sea's Sir Creek in Gujarat as part of a joint survey undertaken by India and Pakistan to settle the disputed sea markings between the two countries.

According to defence sources, survey teams from both the countries have started work from January 23 this year. Brigadier P S Samunda is leading the Indian side while General (South) Meher Ali heads the Pakistani team.

The survey work in Sir Creek is complete. However, the survey work in other areas will continue for another 15 days, after which the reports would be handed over to the respective governments. The meeting to be held at Wagah border later would discuss the reports.

The sea stretch between India-Pakistan totals 104 square km, out of which 57 square km is water while 37 square km is marshy land.

The Ji pillar starts after the international border post 1175 which is called the blue dotted line.

Sources say Kutch and Sindh principalities had set up 67 pilars in 1924 to divide the sea stretch. Of the 67, only 46 remain now.

Pakistan calls these pillars blue dotted line and has begun a row over the ownership of sea stretch. Pakistan says the land stretch from pillar 1175 belongs to India while whole sea stretch belongs to it. But India has control over the sea stretch and has been patrolling the area for long.

The United Nations National Convention on Law of Sea's regulation had directed that all countries must set up their exclusive economic zones by 2009, after which any country can pursue mining activities in the sea zone.

A meeting held in December in Islamabad between authorities of both countries had decided on the dates of the joint survey of Sir Creek.

A 35-member Indian team and 33 member Pakistani team divided into three groups are currently undertaking the survey work.

UNI