Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary Rear Admiral Md Khurshed Alam (retired) and Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Chair Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri have discussed Bangladesh's amended submission to the CLCS. Khurshed has said the final recommendation of the United Nations would provide a basis for the exploration, conservation and development of living and non-living natural resources that would help ensure Bangladesh's sustainable development, energy needs and prosperity of the people. Muhammad Abdul Muhith, ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, was also present. Based on the binding verdicts of the international tribunals, the Bangladesh government reviewed its submission and lodged a fresh version to the Commission on October 22, 2020. Read: Bangladesh shares updated info on continental shelf in Bay with UN In the amended submission, delimitation lines prescribed by the tribunals were used to determine the limits of Bangladesh's continental shelf. The purpose of the CLCS is to facilitate the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Under the Convention, a coastal state is supposed to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf where it extends beyond 200 nautical miles based on the recommendation of the Commission.

Bangladesh has presented updated information on the country's continental shelf in the Bay of Bengal to the United Nations (UN). “This submission is a major achievement for our country, especially at a time when we are pursuing our long-cherished dream to become a developed country by 2041," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while presenting the updated information. He said Bangladesh’s ability to utilize the living and non-living resources of the ocean will determine the course of its journey in the coming days. Dr Momen made the presentation to the 21-member Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) during its 54th session in New York on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Rear Admiral Md. Khurshed Alam, Secretary and Head of Maritime Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other technical experts from Bangladesh. Through the presentation, Bangladesh provided scientific and technical data in support of its entitlement to continental shelf beyond 200 nautical milesin the Bay of Bengal. As per rule, a sub-commission formed for this purpose will examine the data and make recommendations endorsing Bangladesh’s entitlement.

India has lodged its objection with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) over Bangladesh’s claim requesting the Commission not to "consider and qualify" the amended submission made by Bangladesh. “The consideration and qualification by the Commission on the limits of the Continental Shelf of the amended submission by Bangladesh would prejudice the rights of India over the parts of the continental shelf,” reads a written communication made by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations drawing attention to the relevant wing of the UN. The document dated April 16 was posted on the website of CLCS. The “note verbale” is supposed to be circulated to the members of the Commission and Member States of the UN. Bangladesh submitted the amended submission on the Continental Shelf to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) of the United Nations on October 22, 2020.