With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements : 1. 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. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. 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 ?
A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer
Explanation
Option (d) is correct because all three statements accurately reflect UNCLOS provisions: Article 3 establishes the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, Article 17 grants the right of innocent passage to all states, and Article 57 limits the EEZ to 200 nautical miles. While statement 2 might be a tempting point of doubt, the convention explicitly extends the right of innocent passage to land-locked states to ensure global freedom of navigation. The core concept tested is the legal classification and jurisdictional limits of maritime zones under international law.
International RelationsMaritime Zones, UNCLOS ProvisionsUnited Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS)coastal stateterritorial sea12 nautical milesbaselineinnocent passageExclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)200 nautical milesland-locked states