Sharmam, O.P

Summary
This book discusses the developments that have taken place in the laws of the sea in the last sixty years. The earlier European Law of the Sea was the special concern of a few seafaring nations and the dominant interests of the big maritime powers largely determined its shape and content. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) now governs almost diverse uses of oceans during wartime as well as peace time, including international and domestic maritime trade. The author discusses how the Conventions’ regime on navigation through the territorial sea, international straits, exclusive economic zone, abatement and control of marine pollution, marine scientific research, and the international sea bed are fully in accord with India’s national interests. The author also analyses concepts like ocean governance, the limitations on the freedom and the importance of maritime cooperation in various spheres of the law of the sea. In terms of security issues in the future, the book asks for the creation of a cooperative (rather than a competitive) paradigm to prevent emerging threats from trans-national crimes and terrorism. The book also provides an overview of contentious issues between States, and discusses some cases that were dealt with by the International Court of Justice, the Law of the sea Tribunal, and national courts.