What is the Katchatheevu Island issue UPSC?
The Katchatheevu Island issue is related to an island issue between India and Sri Lanka. It is important for the UPSC Civil Services Examination point of view as the Katchatheevu Island issue has been raised in the 2024 General Elections to the Lok Sabha.
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Where is Katchatheevu Island located?
Katchatheevu is an island spread over 163 acres in Palk Strait and is located between Neduntheevu island of Sri Lanka and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India. Katchatheevu island is located about 14 nautical miles off the Rameswaram coast.
Who owned Katchatheevu island before independence?
Historically, Katchatheevu island was owned by the the Ramnad Kingdom of Ramanathapuram Rameshwaram. Later the kingdom came under Madras Presidency during rule by British. In 1921, the control of the Katchatheevu island went from British India to British Ceylon, now Sri Lanka.
In 1974, then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi accepted Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan area under the “Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement”.
However, the legality of the transfer was challenged in the Supreme Court of India since the recognizing was not ratified by the Indian Parliament. As per the Berubari case, the Supreme Court ruled that the cession of Indian territory to another country had to be ratified by parliament through amendment of the Constitution.
Also read: Re Berubari Case 1960 UPSC
What is the importance of Katchatheevu Island Issue UPSC?
Culturally, the island is important for Tamil Nadu. Though the island is uninhabited, but the Tamils claim the island to be traditionally their part. The island has a Catholic shrine, St Antony’s shrine, that attracts devotees from India.
Economically, the island is important for fishermen of Tamil Nadu as the island serves as fishing ground for fishermen of Tamil Nadu. Hence, politicians of Tamil Nadu have disputed that Katchatheevu belongs to Sri Lanka.
The island is also important for maritime surveillance as it serves as checkpoint for smuggling of weapons by the rebel groups in Sri Lanka.
In June 2011 the new Tamil Nadu government led by the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, filed a petition in the Supreme Court that the declaration of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka on ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka were unconstitutional. The court ruled in the Berubari case that the cession of Indian territory to another country had to be ratified by parliament through amendment of the Constitution.
The government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in February 2014 stated,
“No territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished since the area was in dispute and had never been demarcated.”
The government added that the agreements did not require a constitutional amendment because no territory was ceded.
Question in Rajya Sabha over Katchatheevu Island Issue UPSC and Ownership Right of Katchatheevu Island
QUESTION NO.538 OWNERSHIP RIGHT OF KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND
July 21, 2022
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.538
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2022
OWNERSHIP RIGHT OF KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND
538. SHRI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether State Government of Tamil Nadu has represented on many occasions, including during the recent visit of PM to Chennai, to restore the ownership right and fishing rights in the Katchatheevu Island in Palk Strait;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response thereto;
(c) whether Government would hold talks with Sri Lanka for Katchatheevu Island in view of Indian fishermen being harassed and taken into custody by Sri Lankan Navy; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (d) The Government of India concluded maritime boundary agreements with Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976. Under the Agreements, the Island of Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line. Currently, the matter relating to the Katchatheevu Island issue is sub-judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Issues pertaining to Indian fishermen are taken up through diplomatic channels and established mechanisms.
Source: https://www.mea.gov.in
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/katchatheevu
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