04 Apr Katchatheevu island conflict
This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ”Katchatheevu island”. This topic is relevant in the “International Relations” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
Why in the News?
The small island of Katchatheevu has become a source of tension between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting the challenges of managing fishing rights and maritime borders in the region.
About Katchatheevu island
- Katchatheevu, a 285-acre deserted landmass situated in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, lies northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian shoreline and approximately 62 km southwest of Jaffna, Sri Lanka’s northernmost point. It was formed as a result of volcanic activities during the 14th century.
- The island lacks essential resources like drinking water, making it unsuitable for permanent human habitation. The only construction on Katchatheevu is St. Anthony’s church, a Catholic shrine established in the early 20th century. Annually, Christian clergy from both nations conduct a festival service there, drawing devotees from India and Sri Lanka.
History of the Island
- During British colonial rule, the 285-acre territory was jointly administered by India and Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu island was owned by the Raja of Ramnad, which eventually became part of the Madras Presidency.
- In 1921, both India and Sri Lanka asserted ownership over the island for fishing purposes, leading to an ongoing dispute.
- Following India’s independence, efforts were made to address the territorial dispute between Ceylon and the British. Presently, Sri Lanka administers the uninhabited island.
What is the conflict around Katchatheevu Island?
- For decades, the waters surrounding Katchatheevu Island served as a shared bounty for Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen. This harmonious dynamic shifted dramatically in the 1970s with the signing of a series of maritime boundary agreements between the two nations.
- These agreements, intended to establish clear maritime borders and facilitate resource management, inadvertently sowed the seeds of conflict.
- Shifting the control: A key point of contention is the ownership of Katchatheevu Island itself. In 1974, India ceded control of the island to Sri Lanka under the “Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement.” While Indian fishermen retained limited access to resting and drying nets, their fishing rights were restricted.
- Limited Fishing Zone: The agreements carved out exclusive economic zones (EEZs) for each country, restricting fishermen from venturing into the other’s territory. This posed a challenge for Indian fishermen, particularly as fish stocks in their own waters dwindled.
- Depleting resources: Depleted fish populations within the Indian continental shelf pushed Indian fishermen further into Sri Lankan waters in search of better catches. This influx raised concerns about overfishing and the potential ecological damage caused by modern fishing practices like trawling.
- Strain in diplomatic relations: The increased presence of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters has led to numerous incidents of apprehension by Sri Lankan authorities. This ongoing friction strains diplomatic relations and jeopardises the livelihoods of fishermen on both sides.
Difference between the Central Government’s and Tamil Nadu’s stands.
Tamil Nadu’s Claim on Katchatheevu Island
- Tamil Nadu has a long history of contesting the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. As early as 1973, the state’s Chief Minister argued that the island rightfully belonged to India, not just Tamil Nadu.
- The issue flared up again in 1991. The then Chief Minister initially called for reclaiming the island entirely. Later, the demand softened to a request for a long-term lease (perpetual lease) of Katchatheevu.
- Notably, both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu joined forces to approach the Supreme Court on this matter.
Central Government’s Position
- The Indian government’s stance centres around the 1974 and 1976 agreements that established the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka. In 2013, they argued before the Supreme Court that the question of reclaiming Katchatheevu was irrelevant. They maintained that these agreements were settlements of historical disputes and no Indian territory was ceded in the process.
- However, the central government’s position seems to acknowledge some nuance. While citing the same agreements in 2022, they clarified in the Rajya Sabha that Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the established maritime boundary.
- The central government’s position seems to be that the agreements are valid and the island belongs to Sri Lanka. However, the legal challenge by Tamil Nadu is still pending in the Supreme Court. This indicates that the domestic debate on Katchatheevu is far from settled.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 4th April 2024
Prelims practise questions
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
- “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
- In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
How many of the statements above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: A
Q2. Consider the following pairs:
Regions Country
- Catalonia Spain
- Crimea Hungary
- Mindanao Philippines
- Oromia Nigeria
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: B
Mains practise question
Q1. Assess the potential socio-economic consequences of resolving the dispute over Katchatheevu Island for the livelihoods of fishermen and the diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka.
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