Sea border talks start today after 28 years

Energy-rich Bay of Bengal makes Dhaka-Delhi discussion crucial
Star Report


In a context of higher prospect of finding oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal, expert delegations of Bangladesh and India begin a three-day meeting in the city today to settle unresolved maritime boundary issues.

Earlier, Bangladesh and India sat on the same issue in 1982 only to have some primary talks.

Bangladesh is sharing the Bay with India and Myanmar but has not demarcated the sea territory with them which is creating disputes mainly over offshore search of oil and gas.


None of the countries has yet to claim about their marine boundaries to the United Nations.

Back in June, New Delhi and Yangoon strongly opposed Bangladesh's offshore block bidding for exploration of oil and gas.

Previously, Dhaka raised objections when India and Myanmar floated international tender for searching offshore in 2006 accusing them of overlapping Bangladesh territory but yet to get any reply from India.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a press release yesterday, "The technical level talks are taking place after 28 years. We believe today both the governments are now deeply committed to strengthening their relations through resolutions of all outstanding issues."

A seven-member team led by Indian Rear Admiral BR Rao and the Bangladesh delegation led by Additional Foreign Secretary MAK Mahmud will discuss different technical issues until September 17.

The Bay of Bengal has become very important, especially after India's discovery of 100 trillion cubic feet gas in 2005-06 and Myanmar's discovery of 7 tcf gas at the same time. Besides, India also discovered oil.

The Bay in Bangladesh's territory that has not been tapped at all promises huge natural resources, experts say. The Daily Star reported in 2006 discovery of sedimentary rock oolite that promises of oil and gas there.

"Without a win-win negotiation, Bangladesh might not be able to tap its own resources in future while our neighbours might get to enjoy it all as they have made good progress in their demarcation jobs," an energy expert notes.

India and Myanmar need to finish the maritime demarcation with Bangladesh shortly as they are set to file their claim to the UN on June 29 and May 21 next year respectively.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Bangladesh also has to file its claim within July 27, 2011.

Bangladesh has yet to make any progress in making its papers with proper boundary survey due to lack of experience, skilled manpower and equipment. The government is planning to take help from the US, the UK and Australia to do it, sources in the foreign ministry said.

In 2004, the foreign ministry formed a committee with members from Petrobangla, Geological Survey of Bangladesh, the Navy, Spaarso, Inland Water Transport Authority and Surveyor of Bangladesh. The purpose of this committee was to recommend how to mark the deep-sea territory fulfilling requirements of the UN and as per the law of the sea.

However, the committee became dysfunctional within a year, while its foreign ministry members were busy making foreign trips.

International law allows each country to have 200 nautical miles from its coast to the sea to enjoy rights. However, this is a tricky matter as the coasts of India and Bangladesh and Myanmar follow a curve, which implies overlapping of territory.

As per the international practices, in such a case, the neighbours should inform each other and reach a mutual understanding before exploring such areas.

BANGLADESH STANDPOINT
A source says Bangladesh will remain firm on getting equitable share in the Bay of Bengal waters. An official said Dhaka insisted on the determination of the staring point, which is crucial for registering with the UN a valid on common territories.

The Bangladesh delegation will emphasise demarcating maritime boundary, a joint inspection for the delimitation of maritime boundary.

Earlier, foreign ministry officials held two rounds of talks in April and September with Myanmar and the discussions yielded 'good results' regarding common usage of the Naf river and estuary, official sources said.

But progress in resolving the sea boundary is still far to go as Myanmar is asking for eco-distance system in East to West boundary, while Bangladesh is asking to demarcate in equity basis North to South.

Another round of talks may take place with Myanmar in next November.

OIL AND GAS STAKES
Oil and gas exploration in the Bay is a very recent phenomenon. Both India and Myanmar discovered gas in the Bay between 2005 and 2007.

While Myanmar's activities were limited and resulted in a discovery of 7 trillion cubic feet of gas in 2006, India's activities were intensive resulting in a discovery of 100 tcf gas and two billion barrels of oil in place.

India has held off-shore block bids and has many oil companies working in the Bay.

The Indian press reports that two main basins in the Bay -- Krishna-Godavari and Mahanadi -- have shown a potential of nearly 18 billion barrels of oil equivalent gas in place. While official sources quote a figure of 100 tcf for gas reserves in the region, unofficial estimates peg the reserves at 200 TCF.

In Bangladesh on May 7, seven oil and gas companies submitted their bids in 15 offshore blocks out of a total 28. The response was lukewarm as some international oil lobbies have reportedly campaigned against the Bangladesh bid.

With some offers overlapping different blocks, six oil companies proposed to invest $1.6 billion. Each of the blocks has exploration area of between 3,000 square kilometres (sqkm) to 7,000sqkm.

However, Bangladesh might ultimately sign a contract with only two companies.

By June, both India and Myanmar have raised objection about this bid.