Bangladesh has finally gained some 19,467 square kilometers of maritime areas at the Bay of Bengal out of the disputed 25,602 square kilometers with neighbouring India. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali officially released the verdict at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in the afternoon. Former Foreign Minister and Bangladesh Agent Dr Dipu Moni and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were present. Mahmood Ali said this verdict is a victory for both the nations. “This verdict is the victory of friendship and also the victory of the people of both Bangladesh and India. It’s a win-win solution for the people of Bangladesh and India because it has been finally resolved peacefully.” With this verdict, he said, the wide access of Bangladesh beyond 200 nautical miles at the Bay of Bengal would be protected. “This verdict would take the Bangladesh-India relationship one step ahead.” The Foreign Minister also extended his thanks to the Indian government for accepting the verdict. With this verdict, Bangladesh finally won more than 118,813 square kilometers of waters comprising territorial sea. Mahmood Ali said the arbitral tribunal in the Hague dealing with Bay of Bengal maritime boundary arbitration between Bangladesh and India sustained Bangladesh’s claims of equitable solution to a full 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the Bay and to a substantial share of the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Earlier, on Monday, the government received the copy of the verdict on maritime boundary dispute between Bangladesh and India. The Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) officially conveyed the verdict to both the parties, but no party will be able to make it public before 24 hours as part of court rules. On December 18, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted in the matter of the Bay of Bengal Maritime Boundary Arbitration between Bangladesh and India concluded its hearing on the merits. The hearing was held from December 9 to December 18, 2013 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. On December 9, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Attorney General of India, Goolam E Vahanvati made opening statements on behalf of the parties. — UNB, Dhaka.
