The contiguous zone of India is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial waters and the limited of the contiguous zone.

India's Contiguous Zone

The contiguous zone is a maritime zone that extends beyond a country's territorial waters. It is a concept recognized by international law that grants certain rights and jurisdiction to coastal states over their adjacent waters. In the case of India, its contiguous zone extends up to 24 nautical miles (approximately 44.45 kilometers) from its baselines.

Key Features of India's Contiguous Zone:
- Definition: The contiguous zone is defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a state can exercise certain control and enforcement rights.
- Purpose: The primary purpose of establishing a contiguous zone is to protect a country's customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws and regulations.
- Jurisdiction and Rights: Within the contiguous zone, India has the right to prevent and punish infringements of its customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws and regulations. It can also take necessary measures to prevent any infringement, including boarding, inspection, and detention of vessels.
- Limitations: However, it is important to note that India's jurisdiction in the contiguous zone is limited to specific areas of law and does not extend to general law enforcement or security matters, which fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state within its territorial waters.
- Relationship with Territorial Waters: The contiguous zone is an extension of a country's territorial waters. It is located beyond the territorial sea but still within the overall framework of a country's maritime boundaries.
- Distinction from Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): The contiguous zone is different from an exclusive economic zone (EEZ). While the contiguous zone is primarily focused on enforcement rights, an EEZ grants a coastal state rights over the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in the waters adjacent to its territorial sea.
- International Recognition: India's contiguous zone is recognized by the international community under UNCLOS, which provides a framework for the rights and responsibilities of states in their use and protection of the world's oceans and their resources.

Conclusion:
India's contiguous zone is an important maritime concept that grants the country certain rights and jurisdiction over its adjacent waters. It allows India to enforce its customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws and regulations in the area beyond its territorial sea. The establishment of a contiguous zone helps India protect its interests and maintain control over its maritime boundaries in accordance with international law.