Question

Territorial waters of India extend up to _________________.
a. 8 nautical miles
b. 10 nautical miles
c. 12 nautical miles
d. 16 nautical miles

Answer 1

Hint: The term territorial waters refer to all the areas covered by the hydrosphere of a region or territory. It includes the area covered by the territorial sea, oceans as well as the continental shelf. India being a geographically much diverse region has territorial waters that extend up to many miles.

Complete answer:
The Indian territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles. The territorial waters cover the region of seas and oceans which are controlled by that country and the rights of airspace above that region are also held by the country that is controlling the sea region. The territorial jurisdiction of a country extends up to 200 nautical miles in Exclusive economic Zones and 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

Permission of that country is required by other countries to sail their ship in that sea or to fly above that region. All the rights and jurisdiction of the territorial sea are held by the country in whose territory the region falls. It includes continental shelves as well as the exclusive economic zones. The exclusive economic zones of India include the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman sea and also include the coral island Lakshadweep in the Laccadive sea.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
 The exclusive economic zones are of much importance to the country as they benefit economically in terms of more access to natural resources such as natural gas and oil, fishing for commercial purpose, national security of the region, trade with other countries, and ease in navigation.