Katchatheevu Island Issue
The Katchatheevu Island issue revolves around a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, which has been a longstanding dispute between India and Sri Lanka. Historically, the island was used by Indian fishermen for fishing and other activities. However, after India ceded the island to Sri Lanka through agreements in 1974-76, Indian fishermen lost their fishing rights in the surrounding waters. This has led to numerous conflicts, including arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. The issue has been further complicated by environmental concerns and the depletion of fish stocks. Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of demanding the retrieval of the island to safeguard the traditional fishing rights of its fishermen. The matter is still under legal and diplomatic consideration, with both countries looking to find a mutually beneficial solution.
