KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND 

2. Location of Katchatheevu Island

Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island covering 285 acres situated in the Palk Strait, positioned between India and Sri Lanka. It measures approximately 1.6 kilometres in length and slightly over 300 meters wide at its widest point.

• The island is located northeast of Rameswaram, around 33 kilometres from the Indian coastline. It is situated approximately 62 kilometres southwest of Jaffna, which is at the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Moreover, Katchatheevu is about 24 kilometres away from Delft Island, an inhabited island that belongs to Sri Lanka.
• The notable feature on Katchatheevu Island is the St. Anthony’s Church, built in the early 20th century. This Catholic shrine holds cultural and religious importance, especially during its annual festival. Christian priests from both India and Sri Lanka conduct services during this festival, attracting devotees from both countries who make pilgrimages to the island. In 2023, around 2,500 Indians travelled from Rameswaram to participate in this significant event.
• Despite its religious and cultural significance, Katchatheevu is not suitable for permanent human settlement due to the absence of a reliable source of drinking water on the island. This limitation restricts any long-term habitation on the island, making it primarily a site for occasional religious gatherings and pilgrimages.

3. Historical Background of Katchatheevu Island

Katchatheevu Island, formed as a result of a volcanic eruption in the 14th century, holds a relatively recent place in the geological timeline.

• During the early medieval period, Katchatheevu was under the control of the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka. However, by the 17th century, control shifted to the Ramnad Zamindari, which was based in Ramanathapuram, approximately 55 kilometres northwest of Rameswaram.
• With the advent of colonial rule, Katchatheevu became part of the Madras Presidency under the British administration. In 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, then British colonies, laid claim to Katchatheevu to delineate fishing boundaries in the region.
• A survey conducted during this period marked Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka. However, a British delegation from India contested this claim, asserting ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.
• The dispute over the ownership of Katchatheevu persisted until 1974 when a final resolution was reached. This resolution marked a significant milestone in clarifying the status of the island and delineating the maritime boundaries between India and Sri Lanka.

4. Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement and Fishing Rights

In 1974, efforts were made by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to resolve the maritime border dispute between India and Sri Lanka permanently. This initiative led to the establishment of the 'Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement,' which resulted in the cession of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka by India.

• Under the agreement, Indira Gandhi decided to "cede" Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, perceiving the island to hold little strategic value for India. This move was intended to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
• Despite ceding the island, Indian fishermen were granted continued access to Katchatheevu as per the agreement, maintaining their traditional fishing practices in the region. However, the agreement did not explicitly address the issue of fishing rights, leading to subsequent challenges and differing interpretations.
• Sri Lanka interpreted Indian fishermen's access to Katchatheevu as limited to activities such as resting, drying nets, and visiting the Catholic shrine, without requiring a visa. This interpretation created ambiguity regarding the extent of fishing rights granted to Indian fishermen in the waters surrounding Katchatheevu.
• In 1976, another agreement during India's Emergency period further complicated matters by prohibiting both countries from fishing in each other's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). However, Katchatheevu lies at the boundary of both countries' EEZs, adding to the uncertainty surrounding fishing rights and activities in the region.
• The agreements made in the 1970s regarding Katchatheevu and fishing rights have left unresolved issues, contributing to periodic tensions and disputes between Indian fishermen and Sri Lankan authorities. The lack of clear delineation and mutual understanding regarding fishing access around Katchatheevu continues to be a contentious issue between India and Sri Lanka.

5. Impact of the Sri Lankan Civil War on Katchatheevu

The period between 1983 and 2009 was marked by the Sri Lankan Civil War, during which the border dispute involving Katchatheevu took a back seat amidst the intense conflict.

• During the civil war, Sri Lankan naval forces were primarily focused on combating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) based in Jaffna. This preoccupation allowed Indian fishermen to venture deep into Sri Lankan waters without significant repercussions. Incursions by Indian fishermen, especially using larger trawlers, became common during this time. These activities led to tensions as they not only overfished but also caused damage to Sri Lankan fishing equipment and vessels.
• The end of the civil war in 2009 brought about significant changes. Sri Lanka bolstered its maritime defences and shifted its attention to issues such as illegal fishing activities by Indian fishermen.
• Indian fishermen, facing resource depletion in Indian waters, continued to venture into Sri Lankan waters as they had done for years. However, with increased surveillance and stricter enforcement post-civil war, they began facing arrests and other consequences by the Sri Lankan navy.
• To this day, the Sri Lankan navy regularly apprehends Indian fishermen for illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters. Incidents of alleged custodial torture and deaths have also been reported, further complicating the situation. Each such incident reignites demands to revisit the issue of Katchatheevu and its impact on fishing rights and maritime boundaries between India and Sri Lanka. The historical context of the island's ownership and fishing rights continues to be a source of contention and debate between the two nations.

6. Tamil Nadu's Stance on Katchatheevu

The issue of Katchatheevu holds significant political and emotional weight in Tamil Nadu, with successive governments and leaders advocating for its retrieval and the restoration of fishing rights for Tamil fishermen.

• The decision to "cede" Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974 without consulting the Tamil Nadu state assembly sparked immediate protests. This decision was seen as infringing on traditional fishing rights and livelihoods of Indian Tamil fishermen, given the historical ties of the Ramnad Zamindari to the island.
• The Tamil Nadu Assembly has consistently demanded the retrieval of Katchatheevu and the restoration of fishing rights. Leaders like J Jayalalitha and MK Stalin, among others, have actively pursued this agenda through legal and diplomatic channels.
• In 2008, Jayalalitha filed a petition arguing that ceding Katchatheevu required a constitutional amendment and had adversely affected fishermen's rights. Similar efforts were made by other leaders, including appeals to the Supreme Court.
• Despite Tamil Nadu's persistent demands, the Union government's stance has remained unchanged. It asserts that since Katchatheevu has been under dispute historically, no territorial or sovereignty claims were ceded.
• While there is vocal demand for Katchatheevu's retrieval, practical challenges hinder such efforts. The Union government has pointed out that revisiting Katchatheevu's status would require drastic measures, potentially leading to diplomatic complexities or conflict.