With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea in measure.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements correctly describe key provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Convention establishes comprehensive rules governing maritime zones, navigation rights, and resource management in the world's oceans.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: UNCLOS Article 3 permits coastal states to establish territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, representing sovereignty over this maritime zone.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: UNCLOS Articles 17-19 guarantee innocent passage rights for all ships (coastal and land-locked states) through territorial seas, provided the passage is continuous, expeditious, and non-prejudicial to the coastal state's peace and security.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: UNCLOS Article 57 stipulates that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) cannot extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, granting coastal states sovereign rights over natural resources within this zone.
📝 Short Notes: UNCLOS Maritime Zones
| Maritime Zone | Distance from Baseline | Key Rights of Coastal State | Rights of Other States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Waters | Landward of baseline | Complete sovereignty | No right of passage |
| Territorial Sea | Up to 12 nautical miles | Full sovereignty (subject to innocent passage) | Right of innocent passage |
| Contiguous Zone | Up to 24 nautical miles | Enforcement jurisdiction (customs, fiscal, immigration, sanitary laws) | Freedom of navigation |
| Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) | Up to 200 nautical miles | Sovereign rights over natural resources; jurisdiction over artificial structures, marine research, environmental protection | Freedom of navigation, overflight, laying submarine cables/pipelines |
| Continental Shelf | Up to 200 nautical miles (extendable to 350 nm or beyond in some cases) | Sovereign rights over seabed and subsoil resources | Freedom to lay cables/pipelines (with consent) |
| High Seas | Beyond EEZ | No sovereignty | Freedom of navigation, overflight, fishing, scientific research (common heritage) |
- Baseline: Normal baseline is the low-water line along the coast; straight baselines may be used where coastline is deeply indented or has fringe of islands.
- Innocent Passage: Must be continuous, expeditious; excludes activities like weapons practice, fishing, research, or acts prejudicial to coastal state security.
- UNCLOS Adoption: Signed in 1982 at Montego Bay, Jamaica; entered into force in 1994; often called the "Constitution for the Oceans."
- India and UNCLOS: India ratified UNCLOS in 1995; claims 12 nm territorial sea and 200 nm EEZ.
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