Context: 

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister in his speech in the Parliament during the No Confidence debate, mentioned the island of Katchatheevu.

About Katchatheevu Island:

• Location: A 285-acre uninhabited area in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. 
• With Reference to India: It lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast.
• With Reference to Sri Lanka: It is about 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from the inhabited Delft Island, belonging to Sri Lanka.
• The Only Structure on the Island: An early 20th century Catholic shrine – St Anthony’s church.
• Reason for Unsettlement: Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.

Island’s History:

• On a Geological Timescale: The island is relatively new, being the product of a 14-century volcanic eruption.
• Controlled by: 
  • In the Early Medieval Period: By the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka. 
  • In the 17th century: Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
  • In British Raj: Became part of the Madras Presidency. 
  • Beginning of Dispute: In 1921, both India and Sri Lanka claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries. 
• Survey & Till 1974: A survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka, but a British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.
  • This dispute was not settled until 1974.

About the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement:

• Attempt by Indira Gandhi: In 1974, she made attempts to settle the maritime border disputes once and for all.
• Ceding of the Island: As a part of this settlement, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. 
• Reason for Ceding: The island had little strategic value and that ceasing India’s claim over the island would deepen its ties with Sri Lanka.
• Deal under the Agreement: As per the agreement, Indian fishermen were still allowed to access Katchatheevu “hitherto”. 
• Rights to Indian Fishermen: Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermens’ right to access Katchatheevu to be limited to rest, drying nets and for visit to the Catholic shrine without visa.
• Concerning Factor: The issue of fishing rights was not solved by the agreement. 

Agreement of 1976:

• No Entry in Exclusive Economic Zone: During the period of Emergency in India, barred either country from fishing in the other’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

Challenges Faced By India:

• Arrest of Fishermen: The Sri Lankan navy routinely arrests Indian fishermen.
• Custodial Torture & Death: There have been many allegations of custodial torture and death. 

Tamil Nadu’s Position on Katchatheevu:

• No Consultation: Katchatheevu was “given away” to Sri Lanka without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly. 
• Demand to take back the Island: In 1991, in the aftermath of India’s disastrous intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War, the Tamil Nadu Assembly again sought retrieval of Katchatheevu and restoration of fishing rights of Tamil fishermen. 
• Filing of Petition: 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.
  • The petition argued the 1974 agreement had affected traditional fishing rights and livelihoods of Indian fishermen.

Union Government Stand: 

• Rigid View: The Union government’s position on Katchatheevu has largely remained unchanged. 
• A Disputed Region: It has argued that since the island had always been under dispute, no territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty gave up.

The Path Ahead:

• To maintain good bilateral relations and keep taking care of Indian fishermen are the needs of the hour. The focus should be on to provide Indian fishermen with sustainable alternatives to bottom-trawling, which will help Fishermen of both the countries and help in maintaining a balanced bilateral relationship.

News Source: The Indian Express

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