Open AccessMaritime Threats to the South and Southeast Asia: Scope for a Regional Agreement
Author(s) -
Utpal Kumar Raha,
K. D. Raju
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
kathmandu school of law review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2773-8159
pISSN - 2091-2110
DOI - 10.46985/jms.v5i1.995
Subject(s) - united nations convention on the law of the sea , maritime security , scope (computer science) , political science , maritime boundary , china , thriving , international trade , convention , geography , territorial waters , enforcement , southeast asia , law , international law , business , history , sociology , ancient history , computer science , programming language , social science
Piracy has continued to be a thriving criminal activity in the seas and pirates are considered to be the enemy of mankind. Recent reports show that more than half of the piracy reports reported have been from the area of Southeast Asia. Along with piracy, armed robbery, illicit trafficking, and smuggling have broadened and deepened the nature and scope of this threat. The Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS III) 1982, SUA Convention, 1988 and the regional agreements establish the legal frameworks then several organizations have enhanced enforcement measures in the suppression of sea perils. This paper attempts to examine the drawbacks in the existing legal framework and maritime security arrangements and to provide suggestions to fill the gaps. It further argues that India should take the lead in entering into a regional maritime security agreement with South and South East Asian nations within the ambit of UNCLOS 1982. This is important in the background of South China Sea Dispute and consequent maritime security issues in the region.