Kachchatheevu Island: Unraveling the Contentious History and Recent Revival
Kachchatheevu, a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, has once again become a subject of intense discussion. This resurgence in attention is fueled by a complex history of agreements, persistent concerns from fishing communities, and recent political pronouncements. Understanding the current debate requires a deep dive into the island's geography, historical ownership claims, the agreements that defined its status, and the implications for India-Sri Lanka relations.
What is Kachchatheevu Island?
Kachchatheevu is an offshore island strategically located in the Palk Strait, the narrow waterway separating Tamil Nadu (India) from northern Sri Lanka. Formed by volcanic activity in the 14th century, the island is modest in size, measuring approximately 1.6 km in length and just over 300 meters at its widest point. Situated roughly 33 km northeast of Rameswaram (India) and about 62 km southwest of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), it lies around 24 km from Sri Lanka's Delft Island. Geographically, it is positioned between Neduntheevu (Sri Lanka) and Rameswaram (India).
Spanning 285 acres (1.15 square kilometers), Kachchatheevu's significance lies primarily in its strategic location within the Palk Strait, impacting maritime boundaries and fishing access for both India and Sri Lanka. Notably, the island lacks a natural source of drinking water, rendering it uninhabitable. The only structure on the island is St. Anthony's Church, a Catholic shrine built in the early 20th century. This church is the focal point of an annual three-day festival, drawing devotees from both nations and highlighting a shared cultural connection despite the territorial complexities.
Historical Background of the Ownership Dispute
The history of Kachchatheevu's ownership is a complex narrative of shifting control and claims. During the early medieval period, the Jaffna kingdom, based in Sri Lanka, held sway over the island. Evidence of this is found in the Rameswaram Inscription of King Nissanka Malla of Sri Lanka (1187–1196 CE), which mentions 'Kacci' (an older name for Kachchatheevu) among other islands within his realm.
However, by the 17th century, control of Kachchatheevu had transitioned to the Ramnad kingdom, a feudal estate in Ramanathapuram, India. This period marks the beginning of India's historical claim over the island, as the Ramnad kingdom considered it part of its territory. This claim was further solidified during the British colonial era when the island became part of the Madras Presidency under British India.
The ownership dispute intensified in 1921 when both British India and Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) asserted their claims, primarily to delineate fishing boundaries. A survey at the time placed the island within Sri Lankan territory, a decision contested by a British delegation representing India, citing the historical ownership by the Ramnad kingdom. Despite this disagreement, by 1921, an agreement on a border was reached, placing Kachchatheevu within Ceylonese territory, where it remained under British Ceylon's administration.
At the time of India and Sri Lanka's independence in the 1940s, the Kachchatheevu issue remained unresolved. India's claim continued to be rooted in its historical association with the Raja of Ramnad, while Sri Lanka asserted its historical jurisdiction based on its administration under Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Notably, India did not formally demarcate Kachchatheevu as belonging to Ceylon or Sri Lanka before the pivotal agreement in 1974, contributing to the prolonged dispute in the post-colonial era.
The Indo-Sri Lankan Agreements of 1974 and 1976
A significant turning point occurred in June 1974 with the signing of a landmark agreement between the then Prime Ministers of India and Sri Lanka, Indira Gandhi and Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike. Officially titled the 'Agreement between Sri Lanka and India on the Boundary in Historic Waters between the two Countries and Related Matters of 1974' (also known as the 'Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement'), its primary objective was to definitively establish the maritime border between the two nations in the Palk Strait. The agreement defined the boundary from the Palk Strait to Adam's Bridge using six coordinate-based positions.
Crucially, as part of this settlement, India recognized Sri Lanka's sovereignty over Kachchatheevu Island. The established maritime boundary was drawn approximately one mile off the west coast of the island, effectively placing it within Sri Lankan territorial waters. This decision by the Indian government has since become a major point of political contention within India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, given the island's proximity and historical ties to the region.
Despite ceding the island, the 1974 agreement included provisions for Indian fishermen and pilgrims to access Kachchatheevu as they had traditionally done, without requiring travel documents or visas. However, the interpretation of this access became a source of dispute. Sri Lanka interpreted this right as limited to resting, drying nets, and visiting St. Anthony's Church, explicitly excluding fishing rights in the surrounding waters. This ambiguity in the 1974 agreement regarding fishing rights would later fuel significant disagreements.
Two years later, in March 1976, India and Sri Lanka signed another agreement further defining their maritime boundaries and establishing Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). This agreement demarcated the maritime boundary in the Sethusamudram region, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Bay of Bengal. A key provision of the 1976 agreement was the explicit barring of either country from fishing in the other's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The agreement affirmed each party's sovereignty over its side of the boundary, encompassing islands, territorial sea, and historic waters, and granted exclusive rights over the Continental Shelf and EEZ, including all living and non-living resources.
According to India's External Affairs Minister, the 1976 agreement effectively terminated Indian fishermen's right to fish in the waters around Kachchatheevu and the adjoining areas. While the 1974 agreement was ambiguous on this, the establishment of EEZs solidified Sri Lanka's control over these waters, leading to increased apprehensions of Indian fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The Impact on Fishing Rights and Livelihoods
The waters surrounding Kachchatheevu have historically been vital fishing grounds for communities on both the Indian and Sri Lankan sides. Fishermen, particularly from the Rameswaram district in Tamil Nadu, have traditionally frequented these waters due to their rich marine resources, which are critical for their livelihoods.
The 1974 agreement, while granting access to the island for specific purposes, led to differing interpretations regarding fishing rights. Sri Lanka's consistent stance has been that this access did not include fishing. The subsequent 1976 agreement, establishing EEZs and prohibiting fishing in each other's zones, effectively ended any perceived traditional fishing rights for Indians in the waters around Kachchatheevu.
Consequently, Indian fishermen have faced frequent arrests and detention by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters. There have been numerous reports of abuse, attacks, and the imposition of significant fines on these fishermen. Furthermore, Sri Lankan authorities often seize the fishing boats, leading to substantial economic losses for the fishermen and their communities. The primary concern for many Indian fishermen in the region is the perceived loss of their traditional fishing rights and the constant threat from the Sri Lankan Navy.
From the perspective of Sri Lankan fishermen, the issue involves concerns about the protection of their maritime boundaries from poaching by Indian fishermen and the safeguarding of their own livelihoods. Notably, during the Sri Lankan civil war (1976-2009), limited Sri Lankan fishing activity in the region allowed Indian fishermen to increasingly use mechanized trawlers, a practice now contested. Small-scale Sri Lankan fishermen claim encroachment on their fishing space and the use of banned practices like bottom trawling by Indian fishermen, which can severely damage the marine ecosystem.
The restrictions on fishing rights and the frequent detentions have had a profound socio-economic impact on fishing communities in Tamil Nadu. The inability to access traditional fishing grounds and the loss of boats have disrupted their economic stability, becoming a significant socio-cultural and political concern in the state.
Kachchatheevu Island: Why the Recent News?
Kachchatheevu Island has recently returned to the forefront of news due to a combination of political statements, events, and ongoing concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently accused the opposition Congress party of having "callously" given away the island to Sri Lanka in 1974, sparking a renewed political debate, particularly between the ruling BJP and the Congress party. Documents unearthed by BJP leaders have highlighted earlier internal government discussions regarding the island's strategic importance and ownership during the 1960s. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar further commented that the Kachchatheevu issue had been "hidden too long from the gaze of the public," adding to the ongoing controversy.
The political landscape of Tamil Nadu plays a crucial role in sustaining the Kachchatheevu issue. Political parties in the state, including the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, have consistently raised concerns about the impact of the 1974 and 1976 agreements on the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen. The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed multiple resolutions urging the central government to take steps to retrieve the island to protect the interests of the state's fishermen. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also personally appealed to the Prime Minister for the island's retrieval. A central argument from Tamil Nadu's political leaders is that the island was ceded without proper consultation with the state assembly, undermining federal principles.
Recent events and legal challenges have also contributed to the renewed focus. In March 2025, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed another resolution seeking the reclamation of the island. Furthermore, the constitutional validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements has been challenged in the Indian Supreme Court, where the matter remains sub judice. In 2013, the Indian Government informed the Supreme Court that retrieving Kachchatheevu might not be feasible as it was considered disputed territory and had never been formally demarcated as belonging to India before the 1974 agreement. Sri Lanka maintains that the issue of Kachchatheevu's sovereignty was definitively resolved 50 years ago and awaits any official communication from India regarding a potential change in this stance.
Perspectives from the Fishing Communities
Indian Fishermen
Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, have consistently voiced their distress over the loss of access to traditional fishing grounds around Kachchatheevu following the 1974 and 1976 agreements. They report frequent arrests and detentions by the Sri Lankan Navy, often accompanied by allegations of abuse, attacks, and hefty fines. The seizure of their fishing boats, a significant capital investment, further exacerbates their economic hardships. These fishermen feel their traditional rights to fish in these waters, exercised for generations, have been unjustly curtailed, leaving them with limited alternative means of sustenance. Some even express greater fear of Sri Lankan authorities than natural calamities.
Sri Lankan Fishermen
Sri Lankan fishermen, while less prominent in the recent news regarding Kachchatheevu itself, have their own concerns related to fishing in the Palk Strait. They often cite poaching by Indian fishermen, particularly the use of mechanized trawlers and destructive fishing methods like bottom trawling, banned in Sri Lankan waters. Sri Lankan fishermen claim these practices deplete marine resources and encroach upon their traditional fishing grounds, impacting their livelihoods. Sri Lankan authorities often state their actions against Indian fishermen are to protect their maritime boundaries and the interests of their own fishing communities. The end of the Sri Lankan civil war has led to increased maritime security and more frequent confrontations with Indian fishermen.
Socio-economic Impact
The ongoing conflict over fishing rights around Kachchatheevu has significantly impacted the socio-economic fabric of fishing communities on both sides. For Indian fishermen, restrictions and detentions have led to economic instability, loss of income, and constant fear. The loss of boats can push families into poverty. Similarly, Sri Lankan fishermen, especially in the north, are concerned about the sustainability of fish stocks and the potential damage caused by certain Indian fishing practices to their marine environment.
Implications for India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations
The Kachchatheevu issue, despite focusing on a small island, carries significant implications for the broader bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. It remains a sensitive and often contentious topic in diplomatic interactions. The recent resurgence of political rhetoric, particularly from India, has the potential to strain diplomatic ties and sow distrust. While India's "Neighborhood First" policy emphasizes strong relationships with neighbors, revisiting this long-settled territorial matter could be perceived as undermining this principle and damaging India's image as a nation respecting international agreements and sovereignty.
Sri Lanka has consistently maintained that the Kachchatheevu issue was resolved with the 1974 agreement and has dismissed reopening discussions. Any perceived unilateral action by India could be viewed negatively and complicate cooperation on other fronts like trade, security, and regional development. Unresolved disputes could also create opportunities for external actors to exploit discord between India and Sri Lanka, especially considering the strategic significance of the Palk Strait in the context of growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.
Looking ahead, potential resolutions to the fishing rights issues could involve joint management or greater cooperation in the fisheries sector in the Palk Strait, ensuring resource sustainability and addressing fishermen's concerns from both countries. Establishing a clear, mutually agreed-upon maritime boundary with effective communication and coordination between coast guards and navies could mitigate tensions and prevent incidents of fishermen being apprehended. India could also focus on providing sustainable alternatives and support for its fishing communities affected by the restrictions.
