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What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? - UPSC International Relations
What is What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? in UPSC International Relations?
What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? is a key topic under International Relations for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, ceded to Sri Lanka by India.. The cession occurred through two agreements in 1974 and 1976, demarcating the maritime boundary.. The 1976 agreement explicitly prohibited Indian fishermen from fishing in Sri Lankan waters around Katchatheevu.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? important for UPSC exam?
What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? is a Medium-level topic in UPSC International Relations. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island?, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? for UPSC?
To prepare What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for International Relations. (5) Write practice answers linking What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island? for UPSC
- Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, ceded to Sri Lanka by India.
- The cession occurred through two agreements in 1974 and 1976, demarcating the maritime boundary.
- The 1976 agreement explicitly prohibited Indian fishermen from fishing in Sri Lankan waters around Katchatheevu.
- The dispute primarily concerns the traditional fishing rights of Indian (Tamil Nadu) fishermen.
- It remains a sensitive issue impacting India-Sri Lanka relations and a major political concern in Tamil Nadu.
What is Dispute Related to Katchatheevu Island?
Medium⏱️ 10 min read
international relations
📖 Introduction
Introduction to Katchatheevu Island
Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait. This geographical feature lies strategically between the nations of India and Sri Lanka, making it a point of historical and ongoing contention.
The island's status has been a significant factor in the complex bilateral relations between the two South Asian neighbours, particularly impacting fishing communities.
Key Geographical Facts:
- Area: Approximately 285 acres
- Location: Palk Strait, northeast of Rameswaram, India
- Distance from Indian Coast: Approximately 33 km
- Distance from Sri Lankan Coast: Approximately 62 km southwest of Jaffna
Origins of the Katchatheevu Dispute
The dispute over Katchatheevu primarily revolves around its historical ownership and the traditional fishing rights associated with it. Both India and Sri Lanka laid claim to the island post-independence, leading to prolonged negotiations.
The contention became particularly acute due to the livelihood of fishermen from Tamil Nadu, India, who traditionally fished in the waters around the island for centuries.
Key Agreements and Cession
The ownership of Katchatheevu was settled through two significant agreements between India and Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976. These agreements aimed to demarcate the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Strait.
Under these accords, India formally ceded the island to Sri Lanka. However, the conditions and implications of this cession, especially regarding fishing rights, continue to be debated.
The core of the Katchatheevu dispute is the perceived loss of traditional fishing grounds for Indian fishermen and the subsequent challenges they face, including arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Impact on Fishermen's Livelihoods
The cession of Katchatheevu and the demarcation of the IMBL significantly impacted the fishing communities, particularly those from Rameswaram and other coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Their traditional fishing grounds were now deemed Sri Lankan territory.
This situation has led to frequent instances of Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the IMBL, resulting in diplomatic tensions.
Understanding the Katchatheevu dispute is crucial for UPSC as it touches upon India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, maritime boundary issues, fisheries management, and federalism (Centre-State relations), particularly concerning Tamil Nadu's political landscape. It is often a topic in GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III (Internal Security/Economy).
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, ceded to Sri Lanka by India.
- •The cession occurred through two agreements in 1974 and 1976, demarcating the maritime boundary.
- •The 1976 agreement explicitly prohibited Indian fishermen from fishing in Sri Lankan waters around Katchatheevu.
- •The dispute primarily concerns the traditional fishing rights of Indian (Tamil Nadu) fishermen.
- •It remains a sensitive issue impacting India-Sri Lanka relations and a major political concern in Tamil Nadu.
🧠 Memory Techniques
95% Verified Content
📚 Reference Sources
•Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India documents on India-Sri Lanka relations
•The Hindu archives on Katchatheevu dispute
•United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) principles
•Reports from parliamentary debates and committees on external affairs