Location :

Kachchatheevu island is located in Palk Strait which was named after “Robert Palk”, who was the Governor Of Madras Province from 1755 to 1763. It is 12 miles away from Rameshwaram (India) and 10.5 miles away from Neduntheevu (Jafna), connects Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

Historical Background

During 14th Century, this island had formed due to volcanic eruption which surround 285 acres, it’s a barren and un-inhabitant island.The spat between India and Sri Lanka dates back at least to 1921 and a survey that placed it within the maritime territory of what was then known as Ceylon, now Sri Lanka – a position that British India countered, citing the erstwhile rule of the Ramanad kingdom. The dispute continued after the independence of both countries.

In 1974, the then Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi of India and Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka signed an agreement that recognized Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka’s territory, resulting in a change of ownership.
The agreement also allowed Indian fishermen to fish around the island, dry their nets on it, and permitted Indian pilgrims to visit the Catholic shrine located on the island.

Fishing Rights and Livelihood:

Fisherfolk from both India and Sri Lanka have historically used Katchatheevu for fishing. Though this feature was acknowledged in the 1974 agreement, the supplemental pact was signed in 1976.
The 1976 agreement was aimed at defining maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones for both countries, while also imposing restrictions on fishing vessels and fishermen from either nation, prohibiting fishing in each other’s waters without explicit permission from either of the two countries.