Which of the following statements are correct with regard to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?
- 1. UNCLOS authorizes the UN Security Council to take a direct action in case of the disputes between States on sovereign rights over Exclusive Economic Zones
- 2. UNCLOS defines contiguous zones and specifies its functions
- 3. Both the US and India have ratified UNCLOS
- 4. UNCLOS grants certain rights to Landlocked States
Select the answer using the code given below :
1, 2 and 4 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Statement 2: UNCLOS defines various maritime zones, including the contiguous zone (Part II, Article 33). It specifies that the contiguous zone may extend up to 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Within this zone, a coastal state may exercise the control necessary to prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3: India has ratified UNCLOS (in 1995). However, the United States has signed UNCLOS but has not ratified it. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 4: UNCLOS grants certain rights to landlocked states. Part X of UNCLOS deals with the right of access of landlocked states to and from the sea and freedom of transit. It requires transit states to grant access to landlocked states through their territory by all means of transport, and specifies provisions for transit traffic. Thus, statement 4 is correct.