Katchatheevu: All you need to know about the latest political hotspot’s history, significance, current issues and more

The contentious issue surrounding Katchatheevu, a tiny island relinquished to Sri Lanka by the Indian government in 1974, has jumped back to being a focal point of debate in Indian politics. The Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai’s RTI application unearthed official documents and records about the island’s ownership.

Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks against the Congress and its ally DMK have reignited discussions on this matter, thrusting it into the spotlight just days before the general election in Tamil Nadu on April 19.


But what exactly is at the heart of this issue and why does it carry such significance? Below, we attempt to answer some commonly asked questions to shed light on this complex matter:

What is Katchatheevu and why is it important?

Katchatheevu, spanning roughly 1.9 square kilometres, occupies a strategic position in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, situated a mere 20 kilometres from the Indian coastline.

Serving as a crucial link between the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, this island holds pivotal importance in connecting the Bay of Bengal with the Arabian Sea. Recent geopolitical shifts, including China's expanding presence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, have further underscored the strategic significance of Katchatheevu.

Despite its strategic value, however, Katchatheevu is not conducive to permanent habitation due to the absence of a reliable source of drinking water on the island as well as erratic weather patterns.

How did Katchatheevu become a part of Sri Lanka?

Following its independence, Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) asserted control over Katchatheevu, contending that the Indian Navy required its authorisation to conduct exercises in the area. Tensions escalated when, in 1955, the Ceylon Air Force conducted exercises on the island, indicating a degree of control over the territory.

In 1960, India's Attorney General MC Setalvad argued for India's stronger historical claim to Katchatheevu, citing zamindari rights granted by the East India Company to the Raja of Ramnad.

Despite these claims, suspicions arose in 1968 regarding potential secret negotiations between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Sri Lankan counterpart Dudley Senanayake. These developments ultimately led to India conceding Sri Lanka's claim to Katchatheevu following talks in Colombo in 1974.

A 2015 RTI response from the Ministry of External Affairs revealed that Katchatheevu Island falls within the territorial jurisdiction of Sri Lanka, as delineated by the 1974 Agreement demarcating the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line.

“This did not involve either acquiring or ceding of territory belonging to India since the area in question had never been demarcated. Under the Agreements, the Island of Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line,” the RTI reply said.

What’s the issue that has persisted?

During a recent press conference, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar elaborated on the enduring implications of the longstanding dispute between India and Sri Lanka.

He told the press: “In 1974, India and Sri Lanka drew a maritime boundary and Katchatheevu island went to the Sri Lankan side. This agreement had three other clauses: First, each country shall have exclusive sovereignty, jurisdiction and control over the waters; second, Indian fishermen will continue to access Katchatheevu without having to obtain travel documents; Third, vessels of India and Sri Lanka will enjoy in each other’s waters as they traditionally have.”

He further informed that two years later, another agreement was signed between the two countries, with India proposing the following: “With the establishment of Exclusive Economic Zones by the two countries, India and Sri Lanka will exercise sovereign rights on the living and non-living resources in their respective zones. The fishing vessels and fishermen of India shall not engage in the historic waters, the territorial sea and the exclusive zone of Sri Lanka.”

Jaikshankar pointed out that the agreement in 1976 took away the assurances given in 1974, which has since led to the detention of 6,184 Indian fishermen and the confiscation of over a thousand fishing vessels by Sri Lankan authorities.

In summary, the issue surrounding Katchatheevu continues to be a contentious political topic, with historical agreements and geopolitical dynamics still shaping its trajectory.