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| Bay of Bengal (Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Ankit Panda
The two South Asian neighbors resolved a long-standing maritime dispute.
A United Nations tribunal ruled in favor of Bangladesh and against India regarding a sea boundary dispute between the two countries. Both countries welcomed the decision of the U.N. tribunal which puts an end to a decades-long dispute between the two South Asian neighbors. The decision was taken by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and concerned a disputed area in the Bay of Bengal. According to Reuters, the tribunal awarded Bangladesh nearly 80 percent “of an area sprawling over 25,000 sq km (9,700 sq miles).” The verdict is binding on both countries.
The court’s verdict has important implications for the relationship between India and Bangladesh and for Bangladesh’s ability to economically exploit the waters in the Bay of Bengal. Following this decision, Bangladesh will have greater leeway to explore for oil and other natural resources in the once-disputed waters, opening up a potential economic boon for the country.
Read the full story at The Diplomat