What Is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India?

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime area where a coastal state has sovereign rights to explore, exploit, and manage natural resources both in the water column and beneath the seabed. India's EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometers) from its baseline (the low-water line along its coast), and it plays a critical role in the country’s economic development, particularly for fisheries, offshore energy exploration, and maritime security. The rights and responsibilities of India within its EEZ are governed by international conventions, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

What Is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India?

Definition of EEZ (Section 7 of the Indian Maritime Zones Act, 1976)

Under the Indian Maritime Zones Act, 1976, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the area extending 200 nautical miles from the baseline of India’s coast. Unlike territorial waters (which extend up to 12 nautical miles), the EEZ allows India to exercise sovereign rights over the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources in both the water column (for fishing, marine scientific research) and the seabed (for oil, gas, and mineral resources).

Geographical Extent and Delimitation

The Indian EEZ covers a vast expanse of around 2.01 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest EEZs in the world. The EEZ of India includes strategic maritime areas such as the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India's EEZ also extends into disputed areas, such as the Indo-Pakistani maritime boundary in the Arabian Sea, where the rights and jurisdiction over marine resources are often subjects of negotiation and international diplomacy.

Rights of India in Its EEZ

Within its EEZ, India has the right to:

• Explore and exploit natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and living resources (e.g., fish stocks).
• Regulate fishing activities (both domestic and foreign) to ensure sustainable use of marine resources.
• Establish artificial islands, installations, and structures for economic purposes, such as oil rigs and marine research stations.
• Conduct marine scientific research in accordance with international law and UNCLOS provisions.
• Protect and preserve the marine environment, ensuring that economic activities do not harm marine biodiversity.

India's Jurisdiction in the EEZ

India’s jurisdiction in the EEZ includes authority over activities such as:

• Environmental protection: India is responsible for ensuring that offshore activities (e.g., oil drilling, marine construction) do not harm the marine ecosystem. India must adhere to international agreements on marine pollution and biodiversity conservation.
• Regulating economic activities: India can regulate the exploration of mineral resources and marine energy (including offshore oil and gas fields) within the EEZ.
• Security and defense: India has the right to protect the security and sovereignty of its EEZ, including controlling foreign military activities and establishing maritime security operations.

Difference Between Territorial Waters and EEZ

Territorial Waters (12 Nautical Miles)

• Sovereignty: India exercises full sovereignty over its territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
• Regulation: India regulates all activities within territorial waters, including fishing, navigation, customs, and immigration.
• Foreign Ships: Foreign ships are allowed innocent passage through territorial waters, but their activities are limited by India’s national security and legal restrictions.

Exclusive Economic Zone (200 Nautical Miles)

• Sovereign Rights: India has sovereign rights in its EEZ, but it does not have full sovereignty like it does in territorial waters. Sovereign rights are limited to exploration, exploitation, and management of marine resources.
• Foreign Ships: Foreign ships can freely navigate through the EEZ, but they cannot engage in fishing, mining, or other resource exploitation activities without India’s permission.

International Law and EEZ (UNCLOS)

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

UNCLOS provides the international legal framework for the regulation of maritime zones, including the EEZ. Under UNCLOS:

• Coastal states, like India, have sovereign rights to exploit and manage the natural resources within their EEZ.
• Foreign vessels are allowed the freedom of navigation through the EEZ, but their activities are subject to the laws and regulations of the coastal state.
• Environmental protection is a key principle of UNCLOS, requiring states to ensure that economic activities within their EEZs do not cause harm to the marine environment.

Dispute Resolution

In case of disputes related to the EEZ, such as the delimitation of boundaries or resource exploitation, India can rely on UNCLOS provisions for peaceful settlement. For example, maritime boundary agreements are negotiated between neighboring countries to resolve conflicts related to overlapping EEZs.

Examples of EEZ Usage by India

Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration

India has extensive offshore oil and gas exploration operations in its EEZ, especially in areas like the Mumbai High, KG Basin, and Andaman Sea. These activities have been central to India’s energy security.

Fishing in the EEZ

Fishing rights within the EEZ are vital for India’s fisheries sector. Indian fishermen have exclusive rights to fish in the country’s EEZ, while foreign fishing vessels must obtain permission from Indian authorities to operate in these waters.

Marine Environmental Protection

India’s EEZ also includes marine conservation zones that are critical for protecting marine biodiversity. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, are part of India’s EEZ, where efforts are made to preserve coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.

Legal Protections and Responsibilities

Regulation of Foreign Activities

Foreign companies must obtain licenses and comply with Indian regulations to conduct activities like offshore drilling, shipping, or marine scientific research in India’s EEZ.

Environmental Management

India is responsible for ensuring that offshore activities do not lead to marine pollution or degrade the marine environment within its EEZ. Companies engaging in oil and gas extraction must adhere to environmental guidelines to prevent incidents like oil spills.

Maritime Security

India’s Coast Guard and Navy are responsible for ensuring that foreign activities in the EEZ do not jeopardize national security. This includes regulating illegal fishing, controlling piracy, and safeguarding strategic areas.