The island is located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Sri Lanka immediately after his visit to Thailand. He will arrive in the island nation on the night of April 4, Friday. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has demanded that he discuss the issue of Kachchatheevu Island before the PM’s first visit post-elections. He has appealed to raise this issue with his Sri Lankan counterpart.
It is noteworthy that 50 years ago, in 1974, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gifted this island to Sri Lanka. Since then, it has become a subject of dispute between India and Sri Lanka. Stalin stated that Kachchatheevu Island was handed over to Sri Lanka by India in 1974. Since then, fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been facing continuous troubles. He mentioned that the Sri Lankan navy often arrests Indian fishermen and seizes their boats, which severely impacts the livelihood of fishermen.
Stalin urged PM Modi to discuss this issue with the Sri Lankan president and other officials. He said, “The Kachchatheevu issue is a matter of life and death for Tamil Nadu fishermen. PM Modi should prioritize this issue. There is a need to take concrete steps to protect the interests of fishermen.”
Katchatheevu is a small island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. In 1974, the then Indira Gandhi government handed it over to Sri Lanka. Since then, it has remained a contentious issue in India-Sri Lanka relations. Fishermen from Tamil Nadu have continued to assert their traditional fishing rights in the area. However, they repeatedly suffer losses due to the actions of the Sri Lankan navy.
The DMK has also demanded that the Indian government find a permanent solution to this issue so that fishermen can safely carry on their livelihoods. PM Modi’s visit is aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries and enhancing regional cooperation. The DMK’s appeal has brought the Katchatheevu issue back into the limelight.
