Is the Katchatheevu islet disputed?
- The Prime Minister raised again the controversial matter of Katchatheevu, a few weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha poll in Tamil Nadu.
When did Katchatheevu become a part of Sri Lanka?
- During June 26-28, 1974, the then Prime Ministers of India and Sri Lanka, Indira Gandhi and Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike, signed an agreement to demarcate the boundary between the two countries in the historic waters from Palk Strait to Adam’s Bridge.
- It also pointed out that “this boundary falls one mile off the west coast of the uninhabited” Katchatheevu.
- The pact brought to a close the talks held between the two sides since October 1921. Initially, the negotiations were held between the governments of the then Madras and Ceylon.
How important has been Kachatheevu to the fisherfolk?
- Fisherfolk of the two countries have been traditionally using the islet for fishing.
- Though this feature was acknowledged in the 1974 agreement, the supplemental pact in March 1976 made it clear
- That fishing vessels and fishermen of the two countries “shall not engage” in fishing in the historic waters, territorial sea and exclusive zone or exclusive economic zone of either of the countries “without the express permission of Sri Lanka or India.”
What triggered the negotiations between India and Sri Lanka?
- Sri Lanka claimed sovereignty over Kachatheevu on the ground that the Portuguese who had occupied the island during 1505-1658 CE had exercised jurisdiction over the islet.
- India’s contention was that the erstwhile Raja of Ramnad [Ramanathapuram] had possession of it as part of his zamin.
How was the 1974 agreement received?
- The present demand for the Katchatheevu retrieval traces its origin to the opposition that the pact generated in 1974.
What has been the stand of the Union government on the issue?
- In August 2013, the Union government told the Supreme Court that the islet was a matter of dispute between British India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and there was no agreed boundary, a matter of which was settled through 1974 and 1976 agreements.
- In December 2022, the Union government, while referring to the two agreements, 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.