KATCHATHEEVU Island- Controversy Behind It ?

The controversy regarding a small uninhabited island, situated in between India and Sri Lanka, after PM Modi posted on X, that the then Congress Government “callously gave away” Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in the 1970s.

The report cited by the PM which was published by Times of India, explained that in an answer to the RTI filed by the Tamil Nadu BJP head K Annamalai, the then Indira Gandhi Govt in the year 1974 handed the Katchatheevu island to the Sri Lanka.

It was further mentioned in the said report that the First Prime Minister of India, Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, in the year 1961 said about the island issue that, “I attach no importance at all to this little island, and I would have no hesitation in giving up claims to it”, as was claimed by the newspaper.

The issue regarding the ownership of the island has been previously raised by the Former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers J Jayalalitha and M karunanidhi as well. 

Where is the island located ?

• Spanned over an area of 285 acres in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, the length of the island is nearly 1.6 km, while is 300m long at its widest.
• The island is situated at around 33 km from the Indian Coast the north-east of Rameswaram. 
• While it is situated at around 62 southwest of Jaffna which is last point in the North of Sri Lanka, as well as at a distance of around 24 kms from Delft Island, a part of Sri Lanka. 
• There is no permanent habitation as there isn’t any source of fresh water source on the island. 
• Built in the early 20th Century, the only structure which could be found on the island is the St. Anthony’s Church. 
• Christian clergy from both countries, jointly conduct services in an Annual festival. Pilgrims from both India and Sri Lanka visit the Church during this time. Last year, around 2500 devotees from India visited the Island for the festival. 

Historical Background of the Island.

• The island, in the colonial era was under the administration of the British Raj. Speaking of history, the Raja of Ramnad or present-day Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu, is said to be the owner of the island, which was later included under the Madras Presidency.
• By the period of 1920s, both Sri Lanka and India wanted the island exclusively for the purposes of fishing and the dispute still continued to be unsettled for decades after that. 

The Resolution of the Issue between the Countries

• After the talks between the two countries during June 26 and 28, 1974, the Indian and Sri Lankan Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike, signed an agreement, demarcating the boundary between the two countries in waters between the Palk Strait and Adam’s Bridge.
• The joint statement which was issued on June 28, 1974, explained that the  boundary has been defined “in conformity with the historical evidence, legal international principles and precedents.”
• As per the Article 4 of the above-mentioned Agreement, each State will have exclusive jurisdiction and sovereignty over the waters, the Islands, Continental Shelf as well as the the sub soil on the Maritime boundary in the Palk Strait and Palk Bay falling on their side and the controversial Katchatheevu Island, as per the agreement, fell under the Sri Lankan jurisdiction. 

Why is Katchatheevu important for Indian fishermen?

• The Indian fishermen venturing out in the area and who the encounter action from the Sri Lankan authorities generally hail from the state of Tamil Nadu.
• During 1974, when DMK governed Tamil Nadu, it claimed that the then Government of the Congress did not consider it from Tamil Nadu’s perspective  before signing the agreement, leading to which several protests were organised by the party as well. 
• Then again under the leadership of J Jayalalithaa, similar concerns were raised constantly even resorting to legal actions as well.
• Even last year, during the visit of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Tamil Nadu’s CM M K Stalin wrote to PM Modi to discuss the matter with his counter part as numerous fishermen were being held by the Sri Lankan Authorities as well. 
• The CM also raised concern as matter has affected the livelihood of the local fishermen due to a limited access to the traditional fishing waters, ultimately threatening the economic stability of the region. 

The matter as is of concern to the local population, has been in the headlines for many days now, it must be brought into concern that recently the annual festival held on the island has been boycotted by the Indian fishermen against the arrests of the Indian fishermen which was done by the Sri Lankan Authorities, though the matter never gained much headlines on the national platform, however after the tweet by the PM, it is now being discussed over all over the country. 

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