Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy

Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy. A political dispute has erupted in India, revolving around a small, uninhabited island belonging to Sri Lanka. This island is Katchatheevu, measuring just about 1.9 sq km (0.7 sq miles), and sits in the Palk Strait, separating India and Sri Lanka.

Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy
Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy

Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy. Located northeast of India’s Rameswaram town in Tamil Nadu state and southwest of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna city, it lacks a source of drinking water and features only a solitary church, hosting an annual three-day festival attracting devotees from both countries.

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Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy. Since 1921, both British colonies, India and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), laid claim to fishing rights in the waters surrounding Katchatheevu. However, India settled the dispute in 1974 by relinquishing its claim to the island. A subsequent agreement between India and Sri Lanka prohibited citizens of both countries from fishing in each other’s waters.

The issue has resurfaced following accusations from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the opposition Congress party for ‘callously’ ceding the island to Sri Lanka. Modi’s remarks stem from recent revelations by a leader of his Bharatiya Janata Party regarding government discussions about Katchatheevu in the 1960s.

Opposition leaders allege that Modi’s party is exploiting the Katchatheevu issue, sensitive in Tamil Nadu, to garner votes in the upcoming general elections.

Documents unearthed by K Annamalai, chief of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, highlight debates within the Indian government regarding Katchatheevu in the 1960s. While some officials advocated for India’s claim based on historical sovereignty, India eventually conceded the island to Sri Lanka.

Despite ongoing legal battles challenging the agreement, India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, admitted that the issue had been concealed from public scrutiny for too long. However, he clarified that the matter was sub judice when asked about revisiting the 1974 agreement.

In 2013, the Indian Government informed the Supreme Court that Katchatheevu could not be ‘retrieved’ from Sri Lanka since it was never demarcated and remained disputed territory. Former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi echoed this sentiment, stating that India would have to engage in warfare to reclaim Katchatheevu.

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the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy tourjunket
the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy tourjunket

Katchatheevu, the tiny island that has sparked India-Sri Lanka controversy. Nevertheless, BJP’s Annamalai asserts that the central government aims to reclaim Katchatheevu to safeguard the interests of Tamil Nadu’s fishermen. The Sri Lankan Government, however, maintains that Katchatheevu falls under its jurisdiction and awaits official communication from India regarding control over the island.

Katchatheevu is a small island that has been a source of tension between India and Sri Lanka for decades. Here’s a quick rundown of the situation:

  • The Island: Katchatheevu is a tiny, uninhabited island of about 1.9 square kilometers located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka.
  • The Dispute: Both India and Sri Lanka have historically claimed the island and the fishing rights in the surrounding waters.
  • The Resolution (of sorts): In 1974, India ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka as part of a maritime boundary agreement. However, the issue remains contentious.

Here’s a bit more about why it’s still a hot topic:

  • Fishermen’s Concerns: Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu, continue to fish near Katchatheevu. This sometimes leads to their arrest by Sri Lankan authorities.
  • Political Football: The issue is often used by politicians in both countries, especially during elections.

Recent Developments:

  • In 2024, the dispute resurfaced in India ahead of national elections. Prime Minister Modi’s party accused the previous government of giving away Katchatheevu unfairly.

It’s a complex issue with historical roots and ongoing consequences. If you’d like to learn more about any specific aspect, like the history of the claims or the details of the agreement, let me know.

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