Law of Sea and International River

Unit I — Foundations of the Law of the Sea

Historical development and evolution of the Law of the Sea · Early doctrines (Mare Liberum and Mare Clausum and) · Codification through UNCLOS I and III · 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): Overview and objectives · Nature, sources, and importance of the Law of the Sea

• The Law of the Sea: (Law of Sea Convention, 1982)

Unit II — Maritime Zones – Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and EEZ

Baselines and methods of delimitation · Territorial Sea: Width, juridical status, rights and obligations of coastal states · International Straits and Transit Passage · Contiguous Zone: Legal Basis, Extent and Enforcement Rights · Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Definition, rights and duties of coastal states, freedoms of other states

• Maritime Zones
• Delimitation of Adjacent and Opposite Maritime Boundaries

Unit III — Continental Shelf, High Seas, and Deep Seabed Regime

Continental Shelf: Legal definition, rights of exploration and exploitation rights, and delimitation issues · High Seas: Principle of freedom, flag state jurisdiction, piracy, and exceptions · International Seabed Area: Concept of "Common Heritage of Mankind" · International Seabed Authority: Structure, powers, and functions · Marine scientific research and obligation for protection and preservation of marine environment

• Concept of Common Heritage of Mankind‖ Relating to the Resources of International Sea-bed Area
• International Seabed Mining:-Parallel System of Mining
• Maritime Zones

Unit IV — Dispute Settlement and International Maritime Institutions

Dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS: · Compulsory and optional procedures · International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) · Arbitration and ICJ jurisdiction in maritime disputes · Case studies: South China Sea arbitration (Philippines v. China), ITLOS decisions · Role of IMO (International Maritime Organization) and other UN bodies

Unit V — International Rivers and Freshwater Law

Historical background and evolution of international river law · Principles of equitable and reasonable use, no significant harm · 1997 UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses · Legal framework in India: · Constitutional provisions – Entry 56 of Union List, Article 262 · Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 · Water tribunals and interstate conflicts (e.g., Sindhu, Cauvery, Krishna, Narmada)