Katchatheevu Island: An issue between India and Sri Lanka has long been the island of Katchatheevu in the Palk Strait. To pray for happiness, health, and prosperous livelihoods, pilgrims from both countries attend a church festival on this small patch of land.
In the Palk Strait, there is an uninhabited offshore island called Katchatheevu. In the fourteenth century, volcanic explosions caused it to form. During British administration, the 285-acre area was jointly managed by India and Sri Lanka.
Where Is Katchatheevu Island?
Katchatheevu Island is a small island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. It’s situated about 17.5 kilometers off the southeastern coast of India and about 21.5 kilometers off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The island is notable due to its historical and ongoing significance as a territorial and fishing rights dispute between India and Sri Lanka.
Between Rameswaram and Neduntheevu (Delft Island) in Sri Lanka, in the Palk Strait, is the deserted Katchatheevu island, measuring 1.15 square kilometres. The St. Anthony’s Church is the only building on the island, and during the annual festival, both Sri Lankans and Indians travel there. Indian nationals don’t require a visa for this.
It was formerly a part of the kingdom of Jaffna in the early mediaeval era, but in the 17th century it was annexed by the Raja of Ramnad.
It was regarded as a region of the Madras Presidency during British control, but Ceylon claimed it. Following independence, the controversy persisted, and in 1974 an agreement between India and Sri Lanka saw the island given to Sri Lanka.
History
The history of Katchatheevu Island dates back to colonial times when both India and Sri Lanka were under British rule. The island was traditionally used by fishermen from both countries for fishing purposes. After the colonial era, the island’s sovereignty became a matter of dispute between India and Sri Lanka.
The Katchatheevu Island has been an integral part of India since 1605. During the regime of the Nayaks in Madurai, the Ramanathapuram Principality was established, which consisted of this Island also, among others. Since then, the Island was considered as an integral part of the Ramanathapuram Zamindari ruled by the Sethupathis. There are documents in
the Ramanathapuram Registrar’s Office to prove that Katchatheevu Island was a part of the Ramanathapuram Zamindari. There are also documents to show that the then Governor of erstwhile Ceylon, in 1845, admitted that the Island was a part of the Sethupathi Dynasty. All these facts go to show that Katchatheevu was a part of the Indian Territory. So, historically, geographically and culturally, Katchatheevu is a part of India.
Occurrence of Dispute
For a very long time, fishermen from both nations have fished peacefully in each other’s territorial waters. The problem arose after both nations agreed to four maritime boundary agreements between 1974 and 1976. The agreement delineated Sri Lanka’s and India’s international maritime border.
The goal of the agreement was to make Palk Strait resource management and law enforcement easier. Indian fishermen were no longer permitted to utilise the island for anything other than resting, drying nets, and the yearly St. Anthony’s celebration. They are not allowed to fish off the island. While looking for a better catch nearby, Indian fishermen persisted in trespassing the Sri Lankan water boundary.
The following few decades were uneventful, but when the fish and aquatic life on the Indian continental shelf began to disappear and there were more Indian fisherman in the area, the issue became serious. Additionally, they are harming the ecology and marine life by utilising advanced fishing trolleys.
Movement limitations during the LTTE era
The Sri Lankan government prohibited the easy movement of Sri Lankan fisherman in waterways during the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist organisation in Sri Lanka) era, expressing concerns about military operations. This was seen as a chance by the Indian fisherman.
Sri Lanka began vigilantly patrolling its Palk Strait maritime border in 2009. It was carried out to lessen the likelihood of Tamil militants returning to the nation. Sri Lankan fisherman resumed their activity in Palk Bay after the conflict ended there in 2010 and restored their rightful lost area.
Livelihood and humanitarian concerns at Katchatheevu Island
Indian fishermen utilise the island to rest, catch fish, and dry their nets around 10 miles northeast of Rameshwaram. The number of border arrests has increased, and Sri Lankan authorities claim they are doing this to safeguard their marine borders from poaching and to ensure the livelihood of their fisherman. Both parties agree that force will never be used. However, the hostile environment is still present.
Contemporary Issues
The Katchatheevu dispute has remained a contentious issue between India and Sri Lanka. Various Indian political parties and fishing associations have raised concerns about the rights and safety of Indian fishermen in the region. The issue has also been a subject of diplomatic discussions between the two countries.
Efforts have been made to address the concerns of Indian fishermen and to maintain peaceful relations between India and Sri Lanka. Talks and negotiations have taken place to find ways to ensure the protection of fishing rights and prevent conflicts in the waters around Katchatheevu Island.
In summary, Katchatheevu Island is a small island located in the Palk Strait that has been at the center of a territorial and fishing rights dispute between India and Sri Lanka. The historical background, the Katchatheevu Treaty, and ongoing concerns about fishing rights have contributed to the complex and sensitive nature of this issue.
Katchatheevu Island issue is an important issue for the state of Tamil Nadu and MP of all parties from the state has asked centre to retake the Island back into Indian territory.
On July 1st 2019, IUML MP from Ramanathapuram urged government to take back Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanks. He said, “The International Maritime Boundary Line between India and Sri Lanka and the issue of Katchatheevu are not settled. I urge the Government to first retrieve Katchatheevu. The Government should restore the traditional fishing rights of fishermen in Palk Bay by annulling the 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Agreement following which Katchatheevu was ceded to the island nation by India. This island was originally owned by the Ramnad Kingdom of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu before Independence. Thus, it belonged to India till 1974. As per the Indian Constitution, these agreements have to be ratified by the Parliament through a constitutional amendment. But this was not done so far. If this happens, the major problem of fishermen would be resolved by itself.”
On March 30th 2022, AIADMK MP from Theni had said in Lok Sabha, “I request the Government to pursue proactive policies for the retrieval of Katchatheevu island and restore the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen.”
Statement of Government of India
A statement on the Ministry of External Affairs website claims that the government signed marine boundary agreements with Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976. The Island is located on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line, according to the agreement. The Supreme Court of India is presently considering the case.
The issue has been brought up by the administration with Sri Lanka at the highest political level. In accordance with agreements, the problem was bilaterally handled, enabling Indian pilgrims to visit the island without a visa.
