Sir Creek is a strategically and economically vital tidal estuary that is the point of conflict between India and Pakistan and it is a border dispute between Gujarat and Sindh. The conflict over the maritime boundary delineation focuses on the right of control over the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and possible oil and gas deposits, and highly prized fishing areas. Other warnings issued by the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have been given on warnings to the Pakistani government on any military misadventure in Sir Creek due to Pakistan expansion of military infrastructure in the region and the region being a key factor in the defence of Karachi, the economic hub of Pakistan. This warning brought to the fore the danger of the tension building up and Sir Creek may turn into a point of contention in India-Pakistan relationship. The conflict has not been solved yet despite numerous series of talks and interventions by international tribunals since 1947 and both nations have been adamant in their arguments.
Sir Creek is a border separating the Kutch region of India and the Sindh province of Pakistan then leading to the Arabian Sea. Pakistan finds it important to defend Karachi, its biggest city and economic center because creek is located on the approach path. To enhance the posture here, Pakistan has constructed military installations such as bunkers, radars, and forward bases whereas India has a powerful military presence to discourage any form of aggression. The latest word of Indian Defence minister Rajnath Singh has clearly pointed out that, any Pakistani wrong step will provoke a decisive action, citing history in India supporting military development including reaching Lahore in 1965, which indicates the high strategic importance of the creek.
Sir Creek has other significant economic implications to the two nations besides the military issues. The oil and gas reserves are thought to be untapped in the disputed area which is important in energy diversification. The delimitation of maritime boundaries and respective EEZs also depends upon the control over Sir Creek and extend out to the Arabian Sea, which is 200 nautical miles. Such areas provide special privileges to fishing and underwater resources, which are sources of livelihood and national interests in the region. The constant arrests of fishermen who cross the unmarked border make the situation worse and point out the human factor of the conflict.
Nevertheless, the dispute is still an outstanding source of conflict despite the many efforts to resolve it via dialogue and an international tribunal award in 1968 that failed to resolve Sir Creek. The latest military strength exercise by Pakistan in the Sir Creek area is considered provocative by India with stern warnings made. India does not want third-party mediation on the basis of the Simla Agreement and wants bilateral resolution. The strategic and economic interests involved in the past play the idea that Sir Creek will remain a hotspot as well as potentially a volatile area on the boundary between India and Pakistan.
This new ball-game with the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh threatening Pakistan speaks volumes of the vulnerability of Sir Creek turning into a flashpoint that can have a substantial impact on the Indo-Pak relations, and both military and economic outcomes are in stalemate.
