Katchatheevu Dispute: A New Twist
Why in the news?
Recently, the Katchatheevu island issue is back in the news after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the island belongs to Sri Lanka and that India has acknowledged this.
Speaking at a rally marking two years in office, President Dissanayake said, "We maintain good bilateral relations with India. The Central Government of India has acknowledged before the Supreme Court that Katchatheevu Island belongs to Sri Lanka.
"His statement came after a recent hearing in India's Supreme Court on petitions filed by parties including the AIADMK and DMK Fishermen's Wing, challenging the "unconstitutional ceding" of Katchatheevu under the 1974 and 1976 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreements.
According to reports, Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the court that India has "excellent relations" with Sri Lanka and does not intend to reopen the 1974 and 1976 agreements.
During the same hearing, the Supreme Court also orally observed that Indian Tamil fishermen need to be sensitised against crossing into Sri Lankan territorial waters near Katchatheevu Island.
What is the dispute related to Katchatheevu Island?
Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited 285-acre island in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. It is located northeast of Rameswaram, about 33 km from the Indian coast and around 62 km southwest of Jaffna in Sri Lanka. The island cannot support permanent settlement, as there is no source of drinking water. Its only structure is St Anthony's Church, an early 20th-century Catholic shrine where priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct an annual festival attended by devotees from both countries.
History of the Island:
| Origin: | The island was formed due to a volcanic eruption in the 14th century. |
| Early Rulers: | It was initially under the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka in the early mediaeval period but later came under the control of the Ramnad zamindari during the Nayak dynasty of Madurai in the 17th century. |
Dispute:
| India's Claim: | The dispute over Katchatheevu persisted until 1974. Since the island was part of the Madras Presidency during British rule, India claimed it as its own. |
| Sri Lanka's Claim: | Sri Lanka claimed sovereignty on the grounds that the Portuguese, who occupied the island between 1505 and 1658, had exercised jurisdiction over it. 1974 Agreement: Under the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement of 1974, Katchatheevu was officially ceded to Sri Lanka. |
| 1976 Agreement: | A second agreement was signed in 1976 which barred fishermen of both countries from fishing in each other's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Since Katchatheevu lies right on the EEZ boundary, it created confusion over fishing rights. |
| After 2009: | After Sri Lanka's civil war ended in 2009, tensions increased as Indian fishermen continued to enter Sri Lankan waters. This led to frequent arrests, allegations of custodial torture, and fresh demands in India to retrieve Katchatheevu. |
Contentious Issues:
The 1974 agreement allowed Indian fishermen to continue accessing Katchatheevu. However, both countries interpreted the agreement differently, so the fishing rights issue remained unresolved.
Sri Lanka restricted Indian fishermen's access to only resting and drying nets and visiting the Catholic shrine without a visa, while not permitting fishing around the island.
What has been the stance of various stakeholders on the issue?
Tamil Nadu's Stand:
In 1973, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu urged the Centre to retain Katchatheevu, stating it belonged to India and not just to Tamil Nadu. In 1991, the issue resurfaced when the then Chief Minister demanded its retrieval, later modifying the demand to a perpetual lease of the island. Both the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition also approached the Supreme Court on the matter.
Union Government's Stand:
In 2013: The Union government told the Supreme Court that the question of reclaiming Katchatheevu was irrelevant, as no Indian territory had been relinquished, since the historical dispute was settled by the 1974 and 1976 agreements.
In 2022: In its reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Union government referred to the two agreements and clarified that Katchatheevu "lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line."
Indo-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations: A Current Look
Historical and Civilisational Ties
Buddhism & Heritage: India and Sri Lanka share a 2,500-year-old bond, which began when Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism.
Cultural & Ethnic Links: There are deep linguistic, cultural and family ties between the people of Tamil Nadu in India and the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.
Modern Diplomatic Ties: India and Sri Lanka formally established diplomatic relations in 1948, after Sri Lanka gained independence.
Strategic and Geopolitical Significance
Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Security: Sri Lanka is strategically located near vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) close to the Strait of Malacca. Around 70% of India's transshipment cargo passes through Colombo Port.
Neighbourhood First & SAGAR: India considers Sri Lanka a key pillar of its Neighbourhood First Policy and its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
Countering China's Footprint: India closely watches China's strategic investments in Sri Lanka, such as the lease of Hambantota Port and terminal projects in Colombo.
Defence Cooperation: Both countries conduct joint exercises like SLINEX (naval) and Mitra Shakti (military) and cooperate through the Colombo Security Conclave.
Economic and Development Cooperation
Trade Ties: Trade between the two countries is governed by the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) signed in 2000. Bilateral trade is around USD 5.5 to 7.1 billion, with India maintaining a trade surplus.
ETCA Negotiations: Both countries are currently negotiating the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) to expand cooperation into services and investments.
Crisis Assistance (2022 Onwards): During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, India provided over USD 4 billion in support through emergency credit lines, currency swaps, and fuel and food assistance. India was also the first country to support Sri Lanka's IMF debt restructuring.
Connectivity & Infrastructure: Key joint projects include the Sampur Solar Power Project, electricity grid interconnection, development of the Trincomalee energy hub, and the ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka.
Major Challenges and Irritants
Palk Strait & Fishermen Issue: Indian fishermen are frequently arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for crossing the maritime boundary and for bottom-trawling. The issue is currently managed through a Joint Working Group (JWG).
Katchatheevu Island: Under the 1974 and 1976 maritime agreements, Katchatheevu Island was ceded to Sri Lanka. This remains a sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Minority & 13th Amendment: There has been slow and incomplete implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, which promises political devolution and autonomy for the Tamil minority.
China Factor: China's debt-trap diplomacy, its strategic access to ports, and the docking of its research and survey vessels in Sri Lankan ports remain a concern for India.
"Big Brother" Perception: There is sometimes a perception in Sri Lanka that India dominates the region, which creates anxiety around Indian economic projects.
Way Forward for India
Institutionalise Fisheries Management: Shift bottom-trawler fishermen to deep-sea fishing by providing subsidies and creating joint regulatory frameworks.
Speed Up Development Projects: Fast-track key projects like the Trincomalee energy hub, electricity grid integration, and digital infrastructure such as UPI adoption in Sri Lanka.
Encourage Ethnic Reconciliation: Consistently and diplomatically urge Colombo to ensure genuine power devolution and implement the 13th Amendment for long-term stability of the Tamil community.
Deepen Sub-regional Integration: Use platforms like BIMSTEC and the Colombo Security Conclave to make maritime security more collaborative and less competitive.
Conclusion
India and Sri Lanka share deep civilisational, cultural, and strategic ties that make their relationship indispensable. While irritants like the fishermen issue, Katchatheevu, and China's growing presence remain, both countries have shown maturity in managing differences.
For India, Sri Lanka is not just a neighbour but a key partner for Indian Ocean security and regional stability. A balanced approach, combining development assistance, strategic patience, and respect for Sri Lanka's sovereignty, will help India stay as a trusted and preferred partner in the long run.
Reference:
