Why India's sea borders are all set to expand further

India’s maritime boundary may soon expand as the government plans to update how it measures its coastline. Right now, India uses the Everest Ellipsoid system, which is outdated and not widely accepted worldwide. The government is considering switching to the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), a globally recognised standard. This change could extend India’s maritime borders by a few metres to several hundred metres, affecting territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

Shift to WGS84 and its implications

According to The Economic Times, India has long used the Everest Ellipsoid system to define its shoreline, but this method lacks accuracy and global recognition. To address these issues, the government is considering switching to the WGS84 system, which is widely accepted by international organisations and used in maritime boundary disputes. This change will improve India’s maritime governance and strengthen its position in global negotiations on sea boundaries.

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Switching to WGS84 will modify India’s baseline, the reference point for measuring maritime zones. This will impact territorial waters (12 nautical miles from the baseline) and the EEZ (200 nautical miles). For example, in the Sir Mouth area near Sir Creek, the Indian coastline could shift about 57 metres northwest, slightly increasing India’s maritime zone and expanding its rights over marine resources.

Impact on maritime borders and neighbouring nations

The change in baseline calculations will have significant implications for India’s maritime boundaries with neighbouring countries. The impact will be particularly notable towards Bangladesh, where adjustments in baselines will lead to changes in territorial waters. A lesser but still notable effect may be felt along the border with Pakistan.

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According to The Economic Times, it is worth noting that the 2014 Permanent Court of Arbitration tribunal, which settled the maritime boundary dispute between Bangladesh and India, used the WGS84 datum. This precedent further validates the reliability and international acceptability of the system India is now considering.

Government’s official process and gazette notification

As part of the transition to the new system, India will update its official maritime boundary records. This includes revising and notifying 133 geographic coordinates used for baseline calculations.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with other relevant agencies, is spearheading this process to ensure seamless integration with global standards. Once the new coordinates are formally gazetted, India’s maritime boundaries will officially expand, reinforcing the nation’s sovereign rights over additional marine resources.

India’s expanding coastline: A parallel development

While India is working on redefining its maritime baselines, the country’s coastline itself has been expanding significantly over the past five decades. A recent report by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revealed that India’s coastline has grown from 7,516 km in 1970 to 11,098 km in 2023-24—a 47.6 per cent increase.

Gujarat contributed the most to this expansion, with its coastline nearly doubling from 1,214 km to 2,340 km. Bengal recorded the highest percentage increase, with its shoreline growing from 157 km to 721 km, a staggering 357 per cent rise.

According to The Times of India, other states such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have also seen substantial revisions in their coastline lengths due to the adoption of new measurement methodologies that account for complex coastal formations such as bays, estuaries and inlets.

Role of scientific advancements

The recalibration of India’s coastline has been made possible by advancements in geospatial technology and hydrographic survey techniques. Unlike older methods that relied on straight-line distance measurements, the updated approach incorporates precise mapping of dynamic and heterogeneous coastal features.

The National Maritime Security Coordinator has played a critical role in implementing these scientific methodologies, ensuring that India’s maritime parameters reflect the true extent of its coastal geography.

The data cited in the MHA report are still under review, but the ongoing updates in coastal measurements align with India’s broader objective of improving maritime governance. These revisions will have significant implications for economic activities, environmental management and national security planning.

Strategic implications for India’s maritime economy

India’s maritime economy is heavily influenced by the extent of its territorial waters and EEZ. The planned expansion of maritime boundaries will enhance India’s sovereign rights over additional sea areas providing opportunities for economic activities such as fishing, offshore energy exploration and maritime trade.

The Times of India reported that several coastal states have been actively developing their maritime infrastructure in anticipation of increased economic opportunities. Andhra Pradesh, for instance, has been developing new ports such as Ramayapatnam, Krishnapatnam and Kakinada Gateway. These developments are expected to boost employment, industrialisation and urbanisation, reinforcing India’s position as a major maritime power.

Expanding India’s maritime borders will have profound security implications. A well-defined baseline is crucial for enforcing maritime laws, protecting national interests and deterring unauthorised incursions into Indian waters. With clear and internationally recognised maritime boundaries, India will be in a stronger position to manage challenges such as illegal fishing, piracy and territorial disputes.

Additionally, a standardised baseline using WGS84 will enhance India’s ability to engage in diplomatic negotiations and legal proceedings related to maritime sovereignty. By aligning its geospatial framework with international norms, India strengthens its strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific region, where maritime disputes are a persistent challenge.

Greater maritime sovereignty

India’s decision to update its baseline system represents a major step towards strengthening its maritime sovereignty. The shift from the Everest Ellipsoid system to WGS84 will bring India’s maritime boundaries in line with global standards, expanding territorial waters and EEZ by a few metres to several hundred metres.

This move is not just about territorial expansion but also about enhancing India’s geospatial accuracy, legal standing and strategic capabilities in the maritime domain.

As India continues to modernise its maritime governance, the impact will be felt across multiple sectors from economic development to national security. With a recalibrated coastline and a scientifically refined maritime baseline, India is poised to assert itself as a leading maritime power in the 21st century.