Katchatheevu Island, a small yet significant landmass nestled in the sparkling waters of the Palk Strait, has long been a point of contention between India and Sri Lanka. Situated just 12 miles from the Rameswaram coast of Tamil Nadu, India, this uninhabited island spans a mere 285 acres but carries immense historical, cultural, and geopolitical weight. Its ownership has been a subject of dispute for decades, marked by diplomatic negotiations, legal battles, and occasional tensions between the two neighboring countries. Beyond its territorial significance, Katchatheevu holds profound religious importance for fishermen from both nations, who view it as a sacred site integral to their livelihoods and spiritual practices. This tiny island, though often overlooked on the world stage, encapsulates a complex intersection of territorial sovereignty, maritime boundaries, and cultural heritage, making it a focal point of regional geopolitics in the Indian Ocean.
{GS2 – IR – India and its Neighbourhood- India-Sri Lanka}
Context:
- Recently prime minister narendra modi, has reignited the discussion regarding Katchatheevu, a historic source of dispute between India and Sri Lanka, especially concerning fishing privileges and sovereignty over the uninhabited islet.
About Katchatheevu Island:
- Katchatheevu is a 285-acre patch in the sea within the maritime boundary line of Sri Lanka, located 33 km off the Indian coast to the northeast of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, and southwest of Sri Lanka’s Delft Island.
- Katchatheevu is an uninhabited speck between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait.
- The island is used by fishermen to dry their nets and It is of relatively new geological origin, being the product of a 14th-century volcanic eruption.
- Only structure on the island is an early 20th-century Catholic shrine, St Anthony’s church. Devotees from both India and Sri Lanka make the pilgrimage there.
- Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water.
History of the Island and How it Became an Issue for Indo-Sri Lankan Relations:
The culmination of the Political Dispute:
- Unresolved Issue: While Indian fishermen retained certain access rights to the island, the agreements failed to address key concerns regarding fishing rights, leading to simmering discontent among fishing communities.
- Sri Lankan Atrocities: The civil war in Sri Lanka overshadowed the Katchatheevu issue, with Indian fishermen facing arrests and allegations of mistreatment by the Sri Lankan navy.
- Renewed Demands: Instances of fishermen’s rights violations reignited calls for the retrieval of Katchatheevu by Tamil Nadu politicians, who highlighted the plight of affected fishing communities.
- Present Backlash: The agreement sparked widespread protests and political backlash in Tamil Nadu, with regional parties and activists condemning the perceived abandonment of Indian sovereignty over Katchatheevu.
What is Tamil Nadu’s Position on Katchatheevu?
- Katchatheevu was given away to Sri Lanka in 1974 without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly.
- There were protests against PM Indira Gandhi’s move, citing two reasons:
- The historical control of the Ramnad Zamindari over the island.
- Traditional fishing rights of Indian Tamil fishermen.
- In 1991, in the aftermath of India’s disastrous intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Tamil Nadu Assembly sought retrieval of Katchatheevu.
- In 2008, then AIADMK supremo, the late J Jayalalitha, filed a petition in court saying Katchatheevu could not be ceded to another country without a constitutional amendment.
- In 2012, the State approached the Supreme Court to expedite the issue in the wake of increasing arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka.
- However, GoI’s position has largely remained unchanged. It argued that since the island had always been under dispute, “no territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished.”
What is India’s stand?
- The Union government argued that since the island had always been under dispute, “no territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished.”
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the government concluded maritime boundary agreements with Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976.
- According to the agreement, the Island lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line. The matter is still sub-judice in the Supreme Court of India.
- The government has raised the issue at the highest political level with Sri Lanka. According to agreements, the issue was bilaterally resolved and allowed Indians to visit the island for the pilgrimage without any requirement of a visa.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q:1 Elephant Pass, sometimes seen in the news, is mentioned in the context of the affairs of which one of the following? (2009)
(a) Bangladesh
(b) India
(c) Nepal
(d) Sri Lanka
Ans: (d)
Mains
Q:1 In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy. (2013)
Q:2 ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)
FAQs
Q: What is Katchatheevu Island?
Katchatheevu Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. It has been a subject of contention between the two countries due to its strategic location and fishing rights.
Q: Who currently controls Katchatheevu Island?
Under the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka, Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka. However, India retains the right to access the island for fishing and religious purposes.
Q: Why is Katchatheevu Island significant?
Katchatheevu holds religious significance for Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu, who traditionally used the island for fishing and annual religious pilgrimages. The island also holds strategic importance due to its location in the Palk Strait.
Q: What are the main issues surrounding Katchatheevu Island?
The primary issues revolve around fishing rights and sovereignty. Indian fishermen claim that their traditional fishing grounds have been affected by the ceding of the island to Sri Lanka. There have been disputes and occasional conflicts between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen over fishing rights in the surrounding waters.
Q: What efforts have been made to address the Katchatheevu issue?
Efforts have been made by both India and Sri Lanka to address the concerns of fishermen from Tamil Nadu. Agreements have been reached to allow Indian fishermen limited access to Katchatheevu for religious and fishing purposes. However, tensions persist, and the issue remains a point of contention between the two countries.
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