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Katchatheevu & complete Analysis
Katchatheevu & complete Analysis
Where is Katchatheevu Island Located? Katchatheevu Island, a small uninhabited piece of land spanning 285 acres, is situated in the Palk Strait, forming the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka. The island measures a mere 1.6 kilometers in length and slightly over 300 meters in width at its widest point.
Geographical Location: Katchatheevu Island is positioned northeast of Rameswaram, approximately 33 kilometers from the Indian coastline. It is about 62 kilometers southwest of Jaffna, located at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and lies 24 kilometers away from Delft Island, an inhabited Sri Lankan island.
Notable Landmark: The island’s only notable structure is the St. Anthony’s Church, constructed in the early 20th century. Each year, during a special festival, Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct religious services at this shrine. Devotees from both countries make pilgrimages to the island, with 2,500 Indians visiting Katchatheevu from Rameswaram for the festival.
Historical Background: Katchatheevu Island’s geological origins trace back to a volcanic eruption in the 14th century. Historically, it was controlled by the Jaffna Kingdom of Sri Lanka in the early medieval period. Later, in the 17th century, control shifted to the Ramnad zamindari based in Ramanathapuram, located about 55 kilometers northwest of Rameswaram. During the British Raj, it became part of the Madras Presidency. However, its ownership was disputed between India and Sri Lanka, with the issue remaining unresolved until 1974.
Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement: In 1974, the maritime border dispute between India and Sri Lanka was settled through the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement.’Under this agreement, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The move was based on the belief that the island held little strategic value, and relinquishing India’s claim would strengthen ties with its southern neighbor. Indian fishermen retained the right to access Katchatheevu “hitherto,” although specifics about fishing rights were not clearly defined in the agreement.
Impact of the Sri Lankan Civil War: Between 1983 and 2009, the border dispute took a backseat as a violent civil war raged in Sri Lanka. Indian fishermen ventured deep into Sri Lankan waters, leading to tensions and conflicts with the Sri Lankan navy. However, in 2009, after the end of the civil war, Colombo intensified maritime defenses, resulting in the arrest of Indian fishermen who crossed into Sri Lankan waters.
Tamil Nadu’s Position: The cession of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly sparked protests. Tamil Nadu has repeatedly sought the retrieval of Katchatheevu and the restoration of fishing rights for its fishermen. Legal petitions and resolutions in the state assembly have been filed, asserting that the 1974 agreement affected traditional fishing rights and livelihoods.
Despite these efforts, the Indian central government’s stance on Katchatheevu has remained largely unchanged. It argues that since the island had always been a subject of dispute, “no territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished.” The retrieval of Katchatheevu, according to the government, would necessitate a war, a scenario neither country desires.