India to gain additional 1 mn sq km ocean area

In accordance with the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which India ratified in 1995, claims of the delieation of the outer limits of continetal shelf are required to be submitted within a decade of the country’s becoming a signatory.

The Indian claims will be based on the hydrographic survey data whereby the country is expected to get the additional one million square km area.

A comprehensive programme including baseline survey, bathymetric survey, seismic survey and data processing have already been chalked out and the entire review is expected to be completed by 2001, the report said.

India will submit its claims to UNCLOS the same year, the report added.