{"id":171806,"date":"2025-05-09T13:41:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/?p=171806"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:41:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T08:11:25","slug":"katchatheevu-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gkseries.com\/blog\/katchatheevu-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Katchatheevu Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Katchatheevu is a little, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait, right between India and Sri Lanka. It has been a hot topic of disagreement between the two countries for many years, mainly due to its historical significance, strategic spot, and fishing rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Facts about Katchatheevu Island<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Location: Palk Strait, situated about 33 km from Rameswaram (India) and 17 km from Jaffna (Sri Lanka). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Area: 285 acres <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Geographical Feature: A volcanic island that\u2019s mostly barren, featuring a small St. Antony\u2019s Church, which serves as a pilgrimage site for fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Importance: It boasts rich fishing grounds, especially favored by fishermen from Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Background & Dispute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pre-1974: Indian Control & Fishermen\u2019s Use<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The island was traditionally utilized by Indian fishermen, especially those from Tamil Nadu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 It was under the authority of the Raja of Ramnad, a princely state during the British era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 After India gained independence in 1947, both India and Sri Lanka laid claim to the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. 1974 & 1976 Agreements: India Cedes Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1974, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike came together to sign an agreement that acknowledged Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over Katchatheevu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, in 1976, another agreement was made that placed further restrictions on Indian fishermen, limiting their ability to fish in Sri Lankan waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal & Political Controversy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tamil Nadu government and local fishermen are claiming that the island was handed over without the necessary constitutional approval. Back in 1991, the Supreme Court of India stated that any changes to territorial boundaries need to go through Parliament, yet the transfer of Katchatheevu was executed via an executive agreement. In 2008, the AIADMK party, led by Jayalalithaa, brought a case to the Supreme Court to demand the return of Katchatheevu. Now, in 2024, the topic has resurfaced in political debates, with Indian parties pushing for a re-evaluation of the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impact on Indian Fishermen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n