ABSTRACT
There were long-pending disputes between the states in the Bay of Bengal and were settled peacefully. Sri Lanka and India had settled their demarcation of the maritime boundary between them through negotiation. On the other hand, Bangladesh settled its boundary with India and Myanmar through legal arbitration. Thus, the long-pending claims by the states in the Bay of Bengal settled their maritime boundary disputes amicably. They demonstrated their respect for international law. In each case, there was an asymmetrical power. India as a major power, either through negotiation or through arbitration, agreed to give more area to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Bangladesh seems to be more powerful but Myanmar gained more area than the former. In other words, the powerful states did not gain more area than the weaker states. These cases demonstrated respect for the rule of law and became role models for those who declined to settle their disputes either through negotiation or through the judiciary. It is one of the major guiding principles for developing a community of cooperative states in the region. Demarcation of maritime boundaries certainly ensures peaceful relations between the states in the Bay of Bengal. The chapter focuses on how the littorals demarcated their maritime boundaries amicably.
