On October 2, 2025, during a Vijayadashami event in Bhuj, Gujarat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan against any aggression in the Sir Creek region, stating that the "road to Karachi goes through Sir Creek" and any misadventure could change "history and geography." This statement comes amid reports of Pakistan's military buildup in the area, escalating tensions following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where Pakistan attempted drone attacks on Indian sites, including Sir Creek, highlighting the ongoing unresolved border issue.
What Is Sir Creek and Where Is It Located?
Geographical Details: Sir Creek is a 96-kilometer-long tidal estuary, which means it is a place where a river meets the sea and the water level changes with tides; it lies between the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, India, and the Sindh province in Pakistan, flowing into the Arabian Sea.
Physical Features: The area is a muddy marshland with salt flats that flood during monsoons, making it hard to live in or patrol; it has venomous snakes like Russell's vipers and scorpions, and is sparsely populated with no roads, which makes large military movements difficult.
Original Name and Change: It was first called Ban Ganga, but got renamed Sir Creek after a British officer during the colonial time; this name stuck after the British used it in maps.
What Is the Basic Background of the India-Pakistan Border Disputes?
Post-Partition Context: When India and Pakistan were created in 1947, many borders were not clearly drawn, especially in areas like Kashmir and the Rann of Kutch; Sir Creek became a problem because Kutch stayed with India and Sindh went to Pakistan, turning a local issue into an international one.
General Border Issues: India and Pakistan have fought wars in 1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999, and have ongoing disputes over land, water, and sea boundaries; the Simla Agreement of 1972 said all problems should be solved through talks between the two countries only, without outside help.
Role of Colonial Maps: Many disputes come from old British maps and decisions that were not clear; for Sir Creek, the confusion started from how the British divided areas between princely states and provinces.
How Did the Sir Creek Dispute Start in the British Era?
1908-1914 Dispute: In 1908, rulers of Kutch and Sindh argued over a pile of firewood on the creek's bank, leading to a boundary question; in 1914, the Bombay government passed a resolution to fix the border between Sindh (part of Bombay Presidency) and Kutch (a princely state).
Key Parts of 1914 Resolution: Paragraph 9 said the boundary is east of the creek, giving the creek to Sindh (now Pakistan's claim with the "green line"); Paragraph 10 added a blue dotted line from the creek's top eastward, suggesting the boundary could be in the middle if the creek is navigable.
1925 Map Revision: A map approved by the British showed the boundary along the mid-channel, supporting India's view; this confusion from British documents is the root of the differing claims.
What Happened After Independence and During the 1965 War?
Initial Claims: After 1947, Pakistan claimed the whole creek based on the 1914 resolution's Paragraph 9; India said the boundary should follow the Thalweg principle, which means the deepest navigable channel in a waterway, as per international law.
1965 War and Tribunal: The war started over the Rann of Kutch; after ceasefire, both agreed to a UN tribunal; in 1968, it gave 90% of Rann to India and 10% to Pakistan, but said Sir Creek was not included, leaving it open.
Tribunal's Note: The tribunal said the boundary along the "blue dotted line" and in Sir Creek was left out, so no final decision was made, allowing the dispute to continue.
What Are the Main Arguments of India and Pakistan Today?
Pakistan's Position: They say the creek is not navigable, so Thalweg does not apply; they claim the entire creek up to the eastern bank (green line), based on 1914 Paragraph 9, which would give them more sea area for EEZ.
India's Position: India says the creek is navigable during high tide, used by fishermen, so the boundary should be in the middle (Thalweg); this is based on 1914 Paragraph 10 and 1925 map, protecting India's sea rights.
Impact on Sea Boundaries: The land boundary decides the starting point for maritime borders; Pakistan's claim would shift the line east, giving them more EEZ (200 nautical miles) for resources; India's mid-channel claim keeps it balanced.
What Is the Strategic Importance of Sir Creek for Both Countries?
For Pakistan: It protects Karachi, their biggest city and economic center; control helps in defending against Indian advances, as Rajnath Singh warned that the road to Karachi passes through Sir Creek.
For India: It stops terror groups from entering by sea, like in the 2008 Mumbai attacks; India has BSF and Navy patrols to watch for infiltrators or drones.
Recent Military Buildup: After Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where India hit terror sites in Pakistan, Pakistan built bunkers, radars, and bases in Sir Creek; India responded with observation posts and more patrols.
What Is the Economic and Livelihood Importance of Sir Creek?
Resources: The area may have oil, gas, and minerals under the sea bed; winning the dispute means more control over EEZ for exploration and extraction.
Fishing Grounds: It's one of Asia's largest fishing areas; fishermen from Gujarat and Sindh depend on it, but unclear borders lead to arrests—India and Pakistan often catch each other's fishermen for crossing.
Trade and Ports: Near India's Mundra and Kandla ports; control affects sea routes and economic zones, important for India's energy needs and diversification from imports.
What Are the Ecological and Environmental Aspects of Sir Creek?
Natural Features: It has mangroves, which are trees that grow in salty water, supporting birds, fish, and preventing soil erosion; the area has unique wildlife but floods easily.
Threats: Pakistan's LBOD canal sends salty and dirty water into the creek, harming fish and land, which India says breaks the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 that shares river water.
Climate Impact: Rising sea levels and changing tides make the boundary shift, adding to the dispute; it affects biodiversity and local people's lives.
What Efforts Have Been Made to Resolve the Dispute?
Talks History: From 1989 to 2012, there were many rounds of talks in places like Islamabad and New Delhi; in 1998, a working group was formed, but Pakistan wanted international help, which India refused under Simla Agreement.
2007 Survey: Both did a joint water survey and shared maps, but no agreement on the boundary; last formal talks were in 2012 on land and sea borders.
Why No Resolution: After 2016 Pathankot attack and ongoing terrorism, talks stopped; both sides won't go to court like ICJ because it means giving up claims, so only direct talks can work.
What Are the Recent Developments and Challenges in the Dispute?
Operation Sindoor Link: In May 2025, Pakistan tried drone attacks on 36 Indian spots, including Sir Creek, after India's operation against terror; this increased focus on the area.
Rajnath Singh's Warning: On October 2, 2025, in Bhuj, he said Pakistan's new military setup shows bad intentions; India has tried talks but is ready to respond strongly, like in 1965 war.
Challenges: Drones and cyber threats are new problems; fishermen arrests cause human issues; without resolution, it risks small fights turning big, affecting peace in the region.
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