Nestled in the turquoise waters of the Palk Strait, Katchatheevu Island is a 285-acre speck of land that belies its modest size with a history as vast and turbulent as the seas that surround it. Born from a volcanic eruption in the 14th century, this uninhabited island has been a silent witness to centuries of conquest, colonial wrangling, and modern geopolitical intrigue. Once a shared haven for Tamil fishermen from India and Sri Lanka, Katchatheevu’s story took a dramatic turn in 1974 when it was ceded to Sri Lanka by India, sparking a saga of contention that reverberates to this day. As of April 9, 2025, the island remains a flashpoint in Indo-Sri Lankan relations, its legacy entwined with the livelihoods of fishermen, the echoes of colonial rule, and the fervor of contemporary politics. This biography unravels the rich tapestry of Katchatheevu’s past, present, and the unresolved questions that shape its future.
READ ALSO = Arushi Mishra IFS, Focusing on forest conservation and sustainable development
Geological Birth and Early History: A Volcanic Legacy
Katchatheevu’s tale begins in the 14th century when a volcanic eruption thrust it from the depths of the Palk Strait, a narrow waterway separating the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, from the northern shores of Sri Lanka. Spanning just 1.6 kilometers in length and 300 meters at its widest, the island’s rocky terrain and lack of freshwater render it inhospitable for permanent settlement. Yet, its strategic position 33 kilometers northeast of Rameswaram, India, and 62 kilometers southwest of Jaffna, Sri Lanka made it a prized asset in the maritime mosaic of the region.
In its early days, Katchatheevu fell under the sway of the Jaffna Kingdom, a medieval Tamil polity in northern Sri Lanka. Historical records, such as the Rameswaram Inscription of King Nissanka Malla (1187–1196 CE), mention the island as “Kacci,” alongside other nearby isles, hinting at its significance within the kingdom’s domain. By the 17th century, control shifted to the Ramnad Zamindari, a princely estate centered in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. The Rajas of Ramnad asserted ownership, collecting taxes and leasing the island for its resources, including chank shells and dye-producing roots, cementing its place in India’s coastal history.
Colonial Tug-of-War: From Portuguese to British Rule
The arrival of European powers in the Indian Ocean transformed Katchatheevu into a pawn in colonial chess. The Portuguese, who dominated Sri Lanka’s western coast from 1505 to 1658, claimed jurisdiction over the island, a claim Sri Lanka would later wield as evidence of historical sovereignty. The Dutch followed, leasing it from the Ramnad rulers in 1767, followed by the British East India Company in 1822. Under British rule, Katchatheevu became part of the Madras Presidency, its ownership tied to the Ramnad estate until the Zamindari Abolition Act of 1947 shifted control to the Indian state.
The early 20th century saw Katchatheevu’s only enduring structure emerge: St. Anthony’s Church, built by Tamil Catholic fisherman Srinivasa Padaiyachi. Dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of seafarers, the shrine became a spiritual anchor for fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka, who relied on the island’s shallow waters for their livelihoods. Yet, colonial borders sowed seeds of discord. In 1921, a survey by British Ceylon placed Katchatheevu within its territory, a decision contested by Indian officials citing the Ramnad legacy. This unresolved dispute lingered as both nations gained independence India in 1947 and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in 1948 setting the stage for a post-colonial showdown.
READ ALSO = Veena Gupta IAS, Is recognized for her contributions to governance and public welfare in Rajasthan
The 1974 Cession: A Diplomatic Turning Point
Katchatheevu’s modern chapter took a decisive turn in 1974 under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Seeking to resolve maritime boundary disputes in the Palk Strait, the two nations signed the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement on June 28, 1974. India relinquished its claim to Katchatheevu, placing it one mile off Sri Lanka’s west coast, a decision justified by “historical evidence, legal principles, and precedents.” Gandhi viewed the island as strategically insignificant, hoping the gesture would bolster ties with Sri Lanka amid Cold War tensions.
The agreement allowed Indian fishermen to access Katchatheevu for rest, net-drying, and pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Church without visas. However, a supplemental pact in 1976, signed during India’s Emergency period, altered the equation. It barred fishermen from both nations from fishing in each other’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), with Katchatheevu lying perilously close to this boundary. Critics in India, particularly from Tamil Nadu, decried the cession as a betrayal, arguing it lacked parliamentary ratification and ignored the state assembly’s input. The move ignited protests, with leaders like M. Karunanidhi lamenting the loss of traditional fishing rights.
The Fishermen’s Plight: A Living Legacy of Dispute
For centuries, Katchatheevu’s waters teemed with fish, sustaining Tamil fishermen from Rameswaram and Jaffna alike. The 1974 and 1976 agreements, however, upended this harmony. While Indian fishermen retained access to the island, Sri Lanka interpreted this narrowly, restricting fishing activities. The Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009) further complicated matters, as the navy, tasked with thwarting LTTE smuggling, cracked down on Indian fishermen crossing the boundary. Post-war, with marine resources dwindling on India’s side, incursions into Sri Lankan waters surged, leading to arrests, vessel seizures, and allegations of custodial abuse.
The annual St. Anthony’s festival, revived in 2010 after decades of silence, remains a rare bridge between the two communities. In 2023, 2,500 Indian devotees joined their Sri Lankan counterparts for the three-day event, a poignant reminder of shared heritage amid political strife. Yet, the fishermen’s struggle persists, with Tamil Nadu leaders like J. Jayalalithaa and M.K. Stalin repeatedly demanding Katchatheevu’s retrieval or a perpetual lease to restore fishing rights.
READ ALSO = Biography of Darpan Ahluwalia IPS, A Journey from Medicine to the Indian Police Service
Recent Developments: A Political Flashpoint in 2025
As of April 9, 2025, Katchatheevu remains a potent symbol in Indian politics, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The issue flared anew ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party of “callously” ceding the island in 1974, citing documents unearthed by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai via an RTI query. Modi’s remarks, echoed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reignited debates over sovereignty and fishermen’s rights, though Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry dismissed any renegotiation, calling it a “settled matter.”
In March 2025, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to reclaim Katchatheevu, amplifying local sentiment. The matter remains sub judice in India’s Supreme Court, with legal challenges questioning the 1974 agreement’s constitutionality. Meanwhile, bilateral talks between India and Sri Lanka explore solutions like joint patrolling, but no resolution has emerged, leaving the island’s fate and its fishermen’s livelihoods in limbo.
A Geopolitical Relic with Modern Resonance
Katchatheevu’s story is a microcosm of South Asia’s colonial scars and post-independence struggles. Its volcanic origins belie a human history of resilience, faith, and contention. From the Ramnad Rajas to British surveyors, from Indira Gandhi’s diplomacy to Modi’s electoral rhetoric, the island has been shaped by forces far larger than its shores. Today, it stands as Sri Lanka’s sovereign territory, yet its cultural and economic ties to India endure, embodied in the pilgrims who pray at St. Anthony’s and the fishermen who risk their lives in its waters.
As India navigates its maritime ambitions and regional relations, Katchatheevu remains a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between diplomacy and domestic demands. Will it ever return to Indian hands, or will it stand forever as a Sri Lankan outpost with an Indian heartbeat? Only time and perhaps the courts will tell.
READ ALSO = A Vani Prasad IAS, Competitive World of Indian Bureaucracy, Few Stories Stand out as truly remarkable