By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has sent a diplomatic note to the UN against Myanmar’s maritime boundary claim on the extended continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal and will soon register its protest against India’s claim there.
Sandwiched between the two neighbours, Dhaka will send its own claims only by July 2011, a minister told parliament Thursday.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad informed parliament about the government’s diplomatic move on behalf of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni who is currently visiting India, Star Online reported.
The contentious issue pending resolution has gained urgency in view of oil and gas finds in the upper reaches of the Bay of Bengal.
Dhaka cleared two proposals earlier this month, awarding blocks to an American and an Irish multinational firm for exploration, but it took care that the blocks were ‘safe’ and not liable for dispute by either neighbour.
Myanmar and India made their submissions to the UN Dec 16, 2008, and May 11, 2009, respectively.
The deadline for officially registering the claims of the 150 nautical miles or more areas of the continental shelf beyond 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone is July 27, 2011.