LAW OF THE SEA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR BANGLADESH

This article provides a detailed analysis of the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for Bangladesh. It examines how the convention, which entered into force in 1994, provides the legal framework for Bangladesh to define its maritime zones, including the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and the continental shelf. The study's central focus is on the critical issue of maritime boundary delimitation with its neighbors, India and Myanmar. The research analyzes the relevant principles of international law for delimiting these overlapping maritime claims and discusses the challenges and prospects for a negotiated settlement. The paper also explores the significant economic opportunities that UNCLOS provides for Bangladesh, particularly in the exploration and exploitation of living and non-living resources in its EEZ and continental shelf. The analysis concludes that the effective implementation of UNCLOS is a matter of vital national interest for Bangladesh.

The entry into force of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994 was an event of profound significance for coastal states like Bangladesh. This paper analyzes the key implications of this comprehensive legal regime for the country. The first and most critical implication discussed is the delimitation of maritime boundaries. The paper provides a detailed explanation of the legal principles, such as the "equidistance/special circumstances" rule, that govern the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelf. It analyzes the specific complexities of the Bay of Bengal, with its concave coastline, and explains the differing legal positions of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, which had led to a long-standing impasse in negotiations. The second part of the paper focuses on the economic implications. It argues that UNCLOS provides Bangladesh with sovereign rights over a vast sea area, rich in potential resources. The study explores the opportunities for developing the country's fisheries sector and, more importantly, for exploring and exploiting potentially vast offshore oil and natural gas reserves. The findings lead to a clear conclusion: for Bangladesh, the Law of the Sea is not an abstract legal issue but a matter of fundamental national interest. The paper concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for Bangladesh to develop the necessary technical and legal capacity to successfully negotiate its maritime boundaries and to sustainably manage the resources of its maritime zones, which are crucial for its future economic development.