A political dispute has erupted in India, triggered by a small, uninhabited island belonging to Sri Lanka, just weeks before the commencement of general elections.
Katchatheevu, spanning a mere 1.9 sq km (0.7 sq miles) in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, lies northeast of Rameswaram town in India’s Tamil Nadu state and southwest of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna city. Despite its size and lack of resources, it holds significance due to an annual festival at its lone structure, a church, attracting devotees from both nations.
Historically, both India and Sri Lanka claimed fishing rights in Katchatheevu’s waters. However, in 1974, India ceded its claim to the island, solidifying an agreement that prohibited fishing by nationals of either country in each other’s waters.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the opposition Congress party of negligently surrendering Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka during their governance. The Congress party, in turn, accused Modi of exploiting the issue for electoral gain.
The controversy stems from new revelations about debates within the 1960s Indian government regarding Katchatheevu. While Modi’s BJP insists on revisiting the issue, opposition leaders claim it’s a ploy to secure votes in Tamil Nadu.
This dispute is not new; Tamil Nadu’s political parties have long contested the agreement with Sri Lanka, resulting in ongoing legal battles. Additionally, fishermen from Tamil Nadu frequently face arrest by Sri Lankan authorities, fueling local tensions.
Modi’s recent social media post reignited the debate, with BJP leaders and ministers echoing his criticisms of the Congress party and the DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. The DMK, however, denies knowledge of the decision to relinquish Katchatheevu.