Context: During a goodwill visit to Chennai, Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem asserted that the sovereignty of Katchatheevu is a completely settled matter under international law and bilateral pacts.
About Katchatheevu Island:
What It Is?
- Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited, and disputed island that has historically been a focal point of maritime boundary and fishing rights discussions between India and Sri Lanka. While historically claimed by zamindaris and fishermen from India, India formally recognized Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over the island through bilateral maritime boundary agreements in the mid-1970s.
Location:
- The Maritime Strait: Located within the Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water that separates the state of Tamil Nadu in India from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
- Boundary Alignment: The islet sits on the Sri Lankan side of the established International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
History and Legal Framework:
- Traditional Common Grounds: Historically, the waters around the island were used by fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka for catching fish and drying nets.
- The Boundary Treaties: Between 1974 and 1976, the Indian central government signed bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka to define their maritime borders, officially accepting Sri Lankan sovereignty over Katchatheevu based on international frameworks.
- The Modern Standpoint: Under current international law, any formal re-examination of the island’s status cannot be done unilaterally by either country and would require approaching the United Nations.
Key Features of the Island:
- Uninhabited Status: The island lacks a permanent civilian population or natural drinking water sources, meaning it does not support long-term human settlement.
- St. Antony’s Church: The island houses the historic St. Antony’s Church, a major spiritual site that hosts an annual two-day festival.
- Unrestricted Pilgrim Access: Indian citizens face no passport or visa restrictions when visiting Katchatheevu for this annual pilgrimage. The Sri Lankan Navy and local fishermen routinely welcome and assist Indian visitors during the festival.
- Rich Marine Environment: The waters surrounding the island feature thriving marine ecosystems, though they face environmental damage from the use of banned fishing gear and destructive trawling methods.
