UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 32
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements :
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (1, 2 and 3)
Explanation: UNCLOS permits territorial seas up to 12 nautical miles, innocent passage for ships of all States, and exclusive economic zones no farther than 200 nautical miles from baselines.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. True / qualifies - Article 3 sets a maximum territorial-sea breadth of 12 nautical miles from the applicable baseline.
2. True / qualifies - Article 17 grants ships of coastal and landlocked States innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. True / qualifies - Article 57 caps the EEZ at 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-omits 3 even though Article 57 caps the EEZ at 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
B. Incorrect-omits 1 even though Article 3 sets a maximum territorial-sea breadth of 12 nautical miles from the applicable baseline.
C. Incorrect-omits 2 even though Article 17 grants ships of coastal and landlocked States innocent passage through the territorial sea.
D. Correct-selects exactly the correct statements/items identified above.