With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements : 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• UNCLOS (1982) codifies maritime zones and their rules; India ratified it in 1995.
• Statement 1 is correct: Article 3 lets a coastal State set its territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
• Statement 2 is correct: Article 17 gives ships of all States, coastal or land-locked, the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
• Statement 3 is correct: Article 57 limits the Exclusive Economic Zone to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
• Beyond lie the continental shelf (up to 350 nm in some cases) and the high seas.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 3 on the 200-nm EEZ is also correct.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 1 on the 12-nm territorial sea is also correct.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 2 on innocent passage is also correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.