Katchatheevu Island

Katchatheevu Island: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly recently unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to retrieve Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka.

• India recognizes Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over the island under the Katchatheevu island pact in 1974. However, Tamil Nadu claimed that Katchatheevu falls under Indian Territory.
• About Katchatheevu Island: It is a small uninhabited island in the Palk Bay, between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

  oHistory: Was part of Madras Presidency (British India) before being ceded to Sri Lanka under the 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Agreement signed by Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

  o Fishing Rights: Agreement allowed Indian fishermen to access Katchatheevu for drying nets and religious pilgrimage but denied them fishing rights.

  o Long-standing Dispute: Tamil Nadu governments have consistently opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu, citing traditional fishing rights and livelihood concerns.