The Katchatheevu Island controversy has resurfaced in the run-up to the Lok Sabha Polls 2024. The controversy has often been used by political parties for attacking their adversaries. The present NDA government has accused the past Congress government of ‘callously‘ giving away the disputed territory to Sri Lanka, as part of the Maritime Boundary Agreement in 1974.
Where is Katchatheevu island located?
Location- Katchatheevu which is a small, uninhabited island covering 285 acres, is located in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. The island lies 33 km northeast of Rameswaram and about 62 km southwest of Jaffna.
Demography of the Island- The island is uninhabited, as there is no source of drinking water on the island. The island originated from volcanic activity during the 14th century.
Sole Structure on the Island- The island’s sole structure is St. Anthony’s Church, built in the early 20th century. Every year, during a festival, Christian priests from India and Sri Lanka jointly conduct services, drawing pilgrims from both countries.
| Read More- Facts about Katchatheevu Island |
What is the history of Katchatheevu Island Controversy?
Katchatheevu has been a disputed territory between India and Sri Lanka since the British period. Back then, both nations were British colonies.
Historical Timeline of Katchatheevu Island Controversy
| Oct 21, 1921 | During the talks of delimitation of Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar, between the governments of Madras and Ceylon, both the governments claimed the island. Ceylon’s (Sri Lanka) claim- It claimed sovereignty on the ground that the Portuguese who had occupied the island during 1505-1658 CE had exercised jurisdiction over the islet. Madras (India’s) Claim- India’s contention was that the erstwhile Raja of Ramnad [Ramanathapuram] had possession of it as part of his zamin. The British, citing the traditional claims of the Ramnad zamindari of Ramanathapuram, attached it to the Madras Presidency. |
| Till Independence | The zamin of Ramanathapuram collected taxes till 1947. The island was taken over by the State government following the Zamindari Abolition Act |
| Post Independence | The dispute over the control of the island broke out again after Independence over fishing rights around the island. |
| June 28, 1974 | Under the 1974 ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement‘, the government headed by Indira Gandhi agreed to cede the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. It was aimed to settle the discord and strengthen ties with Sri Lanka. However, most of the Opposition including the DMK, AIADMK, Jan Sangh, Swatantara and the Socialist Party, opposed the agreement and staged walk outs in the two Houses. |
| August 15,1991 | In her Independence Day address, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalitha, urged the centre to retrieve Katchatheevu and restore the fishing rights for Tamil Fishermen. |
| Oct 31, 1991 | Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution demanding retrieval of Katchatheevu |
| 2001 | CM Jayalalitha met the Indian PM A.B. Vajpayee and urged India to obtain the island on lease-in-perpetuity. |
| 2008, 2013 | Both the major political parties, AIADMK and DMK, approached the SC to declare the Katchatheevu agreements of 1974 and 1976, as null and void. |
| July 2014 | Central Government informed the SC that the Katchatheevu islet is a sovereign property of Sri Lanka. The 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka do not confer any fishing rights on fishermen from India |
| December 2022 | The Union government, while referring to the two agreements of 1974 and 1976, pointed out in its reply in the Rajya Sabha that Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line. It added that the matter was sub-judice in the Supreme Court. |
What are the provisions of the Maritime Boundary Agreement?
1974 Agreement- Each country shall have sovereignty and exclusive jurisdiction and control over the waters, the islands, the continental shelf and the subsoil, falling on its own side of the aforesaid boundary.
Only navigational rights of the vessels of both Sri Lanka and India over each other’s waters have been preserved.
| Allowed activities for Indian fisherman in the island | Prohibited activities for Indian fisherman in the island |
| a. Resting and Net Drying b. Visit the annual St. Anthony’s festival without the need of visa | The fishing vessels and fishermen of India shall not engage in fishing in the historic waters, the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka |
1976 Agreement- Each Party shall respect rights of navigation through its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone in accordance with its laws and regulations and the rules of international law.
What are India’s concerns with the Katchatheevu Island?
1. Detaining of Indian fishermen- Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu often face punitive action from the Sri Lankan authorities. At least 6,184 Indian fishermen have been detained and 1,175 Indian fishing vessels have been seized in the last 20 years.
2. Livelihoods of traditional fishing community affected- The Katchatheevu Island controversy has restricted the mobility of traditional fishing communities in coastal waters. This has made it difficult for these fishing communities to sustain their livelihood, impacting the economic stability of these communities.
3. Threat to the socio-cultural fabric of the region- This dispute has threatened the cultural and social fabric of the Indo-Srilankan region. For ex- Fishermen associations in Ramanathapuram district boycotting the annual two-day festival at St. Anthony’s Church, which draws pilgrims from both countries.
4. Geostrategic significance- The island has assumed significant geostrategic significance in light of growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region. India’s sovereignty over the island would have countered the Chinese String of Pearls in the Indian Ocean region.
5. Undermining of co-operative federalism- The transfer of Katchatheevu has sparked protests and opposition, particularly from Tamil Nadu, which claims that the opinion of the state government was not taken before ceding the territory to Sri Lanka.
What are the implications of the Katchatheevu Island Controversy?
1. Deleterious Impact on the improving India- Sri Lanka ties- Raking up the Katchatheevu Island Controversy would deleteriously impact the improving India- Sri Lanka ties, after the Sri Lankan economic crisis.
2. Demonstrate India’s big brother attitude- The controversy will damage India’s credibility in the neighbourhood and reinforce India’s big brother attitude perceived by its neighbours. Reopening of old agreements, would set a bad precedent.
3. Damage the ‘whole architecture’ of agreements with neighbouring countries- The controversy will damage India’s architecture of boundary agreements, if there is a change in the original understanding. For ex- Raises concerns for countries like Bangladesh which have finalised land boundary agreements with India.
4. Growth of Chinese Influence- Any antagonistic actions taken by India on the finalised and operational agreements, would only propel the growth of Chinese influence in India’s neighbourhood.
What Should be the Way Forward?
1. Refrain from Political rhetoric- We must ensure that the national political rhetoric is not in confrontation with India’s stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. No backtracking on the finalised agreements- We must not rake up issues of the finalised and operational agreements, as it would hurt India’s credibility.
3. Look to improve India’s relations with its neighbours- India must look to improve and not deteriorate its relations in the neighbourhood. The gains made due to neighbourhood policy should not be washed away.
| Read More- The Hindu UPSC Syllabus- GS 2- India and it’s neighbourhood relations |
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