Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has staked claim of a potential sea bed located between India and Sri Lanka;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether dispute with Sri Lanka on the issue cannot be ruled out; and
(d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken to sort it out?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRANEET KAUR)

(a) to (d) India has submitted its partial claim for an extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles before the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on 11th May 2009. The submission is without prejudice to matters relating to delimitation of boundaries with the neighbouring states, which includes Sri Lanka. Bilateral negotiations with Sri Lanka are underway for delimitation of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216963.

Lok Sabha

Sri Lanka

South Asia