The shades of grey over blue: A maritime delimitation dogma

Since the advent of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal countries have recognised the opportunity of extending their jurisdiction along the natural prolongation of their continental landmass - granting them an unprecedented thrust of economic empowerment. States that ratify UNCLOS are mandated to scientifically establish the continuity of their continental margins, beyond 200 nautical miles (nm). As a prelude to this, coastal states are required to demarcate their maritime boundaries - an exercise often complex and seldom free from disputes with adjoining or opposite states. Two noteworthy decisions in the case of India-Bangladesh and Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime delimitation resulted in the inception of a new terminology in maritime history - the 'grey area', a state of ambiguity that continues to exist even after three years of adjudication. This article draws attention to the causative circumstances that led to the development of such a scenario; its ramifications in terms of overlapping rights; while suggesting possible propositions for conflict resolution.