• UGI USER
  • Apr 01, 2024
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Cong. ‘callously’ gave away Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974, says Prime Minister

Why in the news?

Prime Minister criticises Congress, alleging negligence in ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, highlighting DMK’s alleged double standards.

source:IE

Key Points of the Conflict:

  • Conflicting claims over Katchatheevu island date back to Sri Lanka’s assertions post-Independence.
  • Prime Minister Indira Gandhi informed then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi about the decision to cede the island.
  • Modi accused Congress and DMK of neglecting Tamil Nadu’s interests and emphasised the need to retrieve Katchatheevu.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Congress for ceding Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974, citing a news report.
  • BJP Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai obtained details through an RTI query regarding the ceding of the island.
  • The issue gained prominence during the Lok Sabha election campaign.
Key Facts Of the Katchatheevu Island:

Location and Description:

●    Katchatheevu: 285-acre uninhabited island.

●    Situated in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.

●    Approximately 14 nautical miles of Rameswaram, India.

Agreement of 1974:

●   Signed by Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike.

●   Recognized Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka’s territory.

●   ranted Indian fishermen fishing rights around the island.

●   Permitted Indian pilgrims to visit a Catholic shrine on the island.

About the geographical location of Palk Bay :

●   Region: Palk Bay is a body of water located in South Asia

●   Location: Between the southeastern coast of India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka

●   Larger Body: Part of the Bay of Bengal

●   Ocean: Situated in the Indian Ocean