Katchatheevu island, a small uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, is a contentious issue in India-Sri Lanka relations, particularly for Tamil Nadu fishermen who lost access to traditional fishing grounds. The dispute highlights the complex interplay of history, international law, and domestic politics.
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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU
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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to Katchatheevu has reignited the long-running dispute over the island's sovereignty and fishing rights for Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, located northeast of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Formed by a 14th-century volcanic eruption, it lacks drinking water, making it unsuitable for permanent settlement. Its only structure is St. Anthony’s Church, a Catholic shrine hosting an annual festival for devotees from both nations.
Early History
Controlled by Sri Lanka’s Jaffna kingdom in the medieval period.
Colonial Era
During British rule, both India (Madras Presidency) and Ceylon claimed Katchatheevu, but no clear maritime boundary was defined. In 1921, Ceylon began administering the island.
Post-Independence Dispute
After India (1947) and Sri Lanka (1948) gained independence, competing claims persisted.
1974 Agreement
Signed by Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike, it placed Katchatheevu on Sri Lanka’s side of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), using an adjusted equidistant line.
Indian fishermen retained access for resting, drying nets, and attending the St. Anthony’s festival without visas, but fishing rights were ambiguous.
1976 Agreement
India gained sovereign rights over the resource-rich Wadge Bank.
Prohibited fishing in each other’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), barring Indian fishermen from Katchatheevu’s waters, though the island lies near the EEZ boundary, causing ongoing disputes.
Fishing Rights Ambiguity
The 1974 agreement’s failure to clarify fishing rights led to Sri Lanka restricting Indian fishermen to non-fishing activities.
Bottom Trawling
Indian fishermen’s use of bottom trawling, a destructive method banned in Sri Lanka, damages marine ecosystems and affects Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen’s livelihoods.
Political Exploitation
Tamil Nadu politicians leverage the issue for electoral gains. Political accusations that the past Government “callously gave away” the island fueled the debate.
Legal Challenges
Tamil Nadu’s 2008 Supreme Court petition challenged the 1974 and 1976 agreements’ constitutionality, quoting the Berubari Union Case (1960), which requires a constitutional amendment for ceding territory. The issue remains sub judice.
Geopolitical Implications
Reopening the dispute risks India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and its image as a rules-based power, especially amid China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.
Ban Bottom Trawling
India must enforce its commitment to phase out bottom trawling, replacing trawlers with sustainable deep-sea fishing vessels.
Joint Management
Establish a joint patrol system to monitor the IMBL and prevent illegal fishing, promoting cooperation.
Alternative Livelihoods
Invest in aquaculture and tourism for Tamil Nadu fishermen, reducing dependence on Palk Strait waters.
Diplomatic Dialogue
Strengthen the Joint Working Group (JWG), to negotiate fishing access, such as allowing Indian fishermen within five nautical miles of the IMBL in exchange for Sri Lankan access to India’s EEZ.
Perpetual Lease
Explore leasing Katchatheevu to India for fishing rights while Sri Lanka retains sovereignty, as proposed by Tamil Nadu.
Community Engagement
Promote cross-border fisherman dialogues to build trust and address shared concerns, supported by regional bodies like the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
The Katchatheevu dispute, while rooted in historical and legal complexities, is largely a humanitarian and economic issue driven by fishermen’s livelihoods and political rhetoric. By prioritizing sustainable fishing, diplomatic dialogue, and alternative livelihoods, both nations can address the root causes of the conflict, ensuring stability in the Palk Strait and stronger bilateral relations.
Source: THE HINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The island of Katchatheevu is located in which water body? A) Arabian Sea B) Bay of Bengal C) Palk Strait D) Gulf of Mannar Answer: C Explanation: Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island situated in the Palk Strait, the narrow stretch of water that separates India and Sri Lanka. |
It is a territorial dispute over an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, historically claimed by both India and Sri Lanka.
India ceded the island to Sri Lanka through two key agreements in 1974 and 1976.
It is the official maritime border between India and Sri Lanka, demarcated in the Palk Strait, which is
often inadvertently crossed by Indian fishermen.
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