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An international tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines Tuesday, concluding that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within South China Sea areas falling within the "nine-dash line."Beijing asserts sweeping ownership over the ocean areas, and the Paracels and the Spratlys - two island chains claimed in whole or in part by a number of countries. Here’s a comprehensive guide about the issue.  IMAGE: Chinese Navy conducts a drill in the South China Sea. Photograph: Reuters In anticipation of a verdict to be delivered by the International Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Tuesday, China has orchestrated a worldwide campaign to defuse its findings. The case revolves around the Philippines objections to Chinese maritime territorial claims in the South China Sea. The fact that China has resorted to everything from newspaper advertisements and op-eds to academic attacks to diplomatic offensives … [Read more...] about Debunking 10 myths about China and the South China Sea

A bill which seeks to provide for stringent punishment, including death penalty or life imprisonment, to those involved in piracy at sea was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday. Shashi Tharoor (Cong) opposed The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill at the introduction stage saying, the provision of automatic death penalty was against the law. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the bill does not have automatic death penalty provision. He said it is factually incorrect to say that there is an automatic death penalty provision. The proposed law is aimed at promoting the safety and security of India's maritime trade including the safety of its crew members, according to the bill The government is bringing the law as part of commitment made by India while signing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982. The UNCLOS was ratified by India in 1995. According to the statement of objects, India does not have a separate domestic legislation on piracy. The provisions of … [Read more...] about Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A bill which seeks to provide for stringent punishment, including death penalty or life imprisonment to those involved in piracy at sea, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday. Shashi Tharoor (Cong) opposed The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill at the introduction stage saying, the provision of automatic death penalty was against the law. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, however, refuted the charge. He said it is factually incorrect to say that the bill proposes automatic death penalty. The proposed law, is aimed at promoting the safety and security of India's maritime trade including the safety of its crew members, the bill states. India does not have a separate domestic legislation on piracy. According to the statement of objects of the bill, the provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to armed robbery and the Admiralty jurisdiction of certain courts were invoked to prosecute pirates apprehended by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard  so far.   Find … [Read more...] about New Lok Sabha Bill proposes stringent punishment for pirates