Bangladesh and Myanmar Maritime Boundary Dispute!

Bangladesh and Myanmar maritime boundary dispute stated in 2008 when Bangladesh protested Myanmar’s move for lifting mineral resources from a disputed block in Bay of Bengal. Relations between the two countries reached a low with forces of both countries facing each other in the Bay of Bengal.

However, the tension was defused through diplomatic efforts initiated by Dhaka as both sides agreed that neither of the sides would pursue oil and gas exploration in the disputed areas of the mineral-rich bay, until their boundaries are demarcated according to the UN convention on the law of the sea.

Both countries resumed talks on maritime boundary demarcation in 2008, after a gap of 22 years, but failed to resolve the dispute. Later, Bangladesh formally raised the issue at arbitration tribunal of the United Nations in October, 2009 for a solution.

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In January 2010, Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed to settle the longstanding maritime dispute over the natural gas and mineral-rich zone of the Bay of Bengal by demarcating the sea boundary following the principles of equidistance and equity of resources. Both countries also reached the consensus to formulate the coordinated policy in this regard in April 2010.

This amicable solution of maritime boundary dispute over mineral oil and natural gas rich region is definitely a boost to India’s concern for energy security. To bridge its growing energy demands, India is keen on forging close cooperation with oil and gas rich countries across the globe.

Hence in future, both Bangladesh and Myanraar could be cheap and easy source of energy for India because of their geographical and diplomatic proximity. In the broader sense, the principle of equidistance and equity of resources principles can be served as benchmark for all long-standing boundaries disputes between nations in South Asia. India must come forward to resolve its pending boundary dispute with China, Bangladesh and Pakistan more or less in the same manner.