ThePrint CutTheClutter: Marshy, salty mudflats rich in oil & gas: Untangling Sir Creek problem as Rajnath warns Pakistan
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Oct 9, 2025 Explore the intriguing history and geography of Sir Creek, a crucial point of contention between India and Pakistan. Discover how a 1914 colonial settlement sparked a complex dispute over boundaries. Learn about critical strategic stakes tied to potential oil and gas resources in its marshy regions. The discussion delves into the implications of Rajnath Singh's warnings, the routine maritime conflicts involving fishermen, and failed negotiations influenced by election politics. Unravel the reasons behind Pakistan's continued interest in this unresolved issue.
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Small Creek, Huge Strategic Stakes
- Sir Creek is a narrow, marshy 96 km inlet of mangroves and mudflats that meanders inland like a dagger.
- Its small land area belies outsized strategic importance because maritime zones are measured from the low-tide coastline.
A Few Kilometres, Massive Maritime Change
- Pakistan claims the eastern bank as its boundary while India favors the midstream (thalweg) principle.
- That few-kilometer shift at low tide can drastically change territorial sea, EEZ and continental shelf claims.
Colonial Clause Caused Confusion
- The 1914 British 'settlement' contains contradictory clauses: clause 9 favors the eastern bank while clause 10 mentions a midstream boundary.
- This colonial ambiguity seeded the long-running India-Pakistan dispute over Sir Creek.