The Shimla Agreement, signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, formally converted the 1949 ceasefire line into the 'Line of Control' (LoC). This agreement was significant because it emphasized bilateralism, requiring both nations to resolve their disputes through peaceful means without third-party intervention. The LoC has since functioned as the de facto border between the two countries in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Territorial disputes are among the most sensitive issues in international relations because they involve the physical sovereignty of a state. Land, maritime boundaries, and natural resources located within disputed territories are often viewed as existential interests. Because territory is finite and tied to national identity and security, conflicts over land are frequently more difficult to resolve than other types of disputes, often leading to prolonged tensions or military confrontations between states.

Following the 1965 conflict, the Rann of Kutch dispute was submitted to an international tribunal. In 1968, the tribunal issued a verdict that awarded Pakistan approximately 10% of the 9,000 square kilometers it had claimed in the Rann of Kutch region.

The Sir Creek area, situated in the Rann of Kutch, remains a point of contention due to the lack of a mutually agreed-upon maritime boundary. The specific channel in question, which is subject to ongoing diplomatic negotiations, is approximately 38 kilometers long. This area is strategically important for both nations due to potential oil and gas reserves and maritime security considerations.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the legal framework for maritime boundaries. Under its provisions, coastal states were encouraged to resolve overlapping claims to the continental shelf, a process that remains incomplete for India and Pakistan regarding Sir Creek.

The Line of Control (LoC) is the de facto military border between the Indian and Pakistani-administered portions of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. While estimates can vary slightly due to the rugged terrain and the nature of the boundary, the length is generally cited in official and academic sources as being approximately 720 to 740 kilometers long, established following the 1972 Simla Agreement.

India advocates for the 'Thalweg' principle, which suggests that the maritime boundary should be drawn through the middle of the main navigable channel of the creek. India argues that this approach is consistent with international law regarding riverine boundaries, ensuring equitable access to the waterway for both India and Pakistan, and providing a fair resolution to the long-standing territorial dispute.

The Line of Control (LoC) is the military control line that separates the parts of the Jammu and Kashmir region administered by India and Pakistan. It was established following the 1947 conflict and later formalized by the 1972 Simla Agreement. It acts as a de facto border, though it is not a legally recognized international boundary.

Pakistan argues that the Thalweg Doctrine is legally inapplicable to Sir Creek because the doctrine specifically pertains to navigable waterways. Pakistan contends that Sir Creek is not a navigable channel in the sense required by international law for the application of the Thalweg principle. Therefore, Pakistan rejects India's reliance on this doctrine as a basis for determining the maritime boundary.

Pakistan maintains that the maritime boundary should be fixed along the eastern bank of Sir Creek. This position is based on historical maps and administrative records from the British colonial era, which Pakistan argues support its claim to the entire creek. This stance directly conflicts with India's proposal to use the mid-channel Thalweg principle, leading to a persistent diplomatic stalemate.