Salient points of Senior BJP Leader and Minister of External Affairs Shri S. Jaishankar's Press Conference
Former PM Indira Gandhi's government and then Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi betrayed the nation by relinquishing control of the country's Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka which, which was a source of livelihood for fishermen from Tamil Nadu
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Over the past 20 years, Sri Lanka has detained 6184 Indian fishermen, and during the same period, 1175 Indian fishing vessels have been seized by Sri Lanka
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Jan Sangh (Now BJP) consistently prioritized India's interests, valuing every inch of Indian territory. Interestingly, other parties seemed indifferent to significant Indian territories, such as Aksai Chin
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Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi regarded Katchatheevu island as insignificant, often referring to it as merely a 'rock' or a small island of no importance
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Jawaharlal Nehru's statement on ‘Katchatheevu’ island- "I attach no importance at all to this little island and I would have no hesitation in giving up our claims on the island. I do not like this pending matter indefinitely and being raised again and again in parliament."
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DMK and Congress have treated the issue as if they have no role in it, presenting it as a problem for the Central government to solve without recognizing its historical background
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The Katchatheevu issue is not a new development but rather a longstanding one. It has been extensively discussed both in Parliament and within Tamil Nadu circles
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Public has the right to understand the origins of the Katchatheevu issue and be informed about "Who did it and Who hid it"
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Senior BJP Leader and Union External Affairs Minister Shri S. Jaishankar addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. During the press conference, Shri S Jaishannkar criticized the Congress and the DMK for conveniently absolving themselves of any responsibility regarding the Katchatheevu issue, portraying it solely as a problem for the Central government to resolve, while disregarding its historical context and their own roles in its unfolding. Shri Jaishankar claimed that the decades-old territorial and fishing rights dispute around the Katchatheevu island did not surface suddenly and that it has often been debated in Parliament. Union External Affairs Minister also claimed that Prime Ministers from the Congress displayed indifference about Katchatheevu Island and gave away Indian fishermen's rights despite legal views to the contrary. Shri S Jaishankar stressed that the public is now well aware of "Who did it and who hid it" concerning the Katchatheevu issue.
Union External Affairs Minister Shri S. Jaishankar highlighted the Katchatheevu island issue and mentioned its relevance in today’s discourse. Shri Jaishankar stated that in June 1974, India and Sri Lanka concluded an agreement, where they drew a maritime boundary, and during the drawing of the boundary, the ‘Katchatheevu’ island was put into the Sri Lankan boundary. The agreement has three other clauses: the first clause, both countries shall have sovereignty and exclusive jurisdiction and control over the waters. Second clause, it gave the Indian fisherman access to ‘Katchatheevu’ island and will not be required to obtain travel documents. Third clause, highlighted that the vessels of India and Sri Lanka will enjoy each other’s water such rights that they have traditionally enjoyed. Shri Jaishankar noted that when this agreement was presented to Parliament on 23rd, July 1974, then-Foreign Minister Swaran Singh assured that it was fair and equitable for both countries, safeguarding fishing, navigation, and pilgrimage rights.
Shri Jaishankar highlighted that within less than two years, another agreement was made between India and Sri Lanka through an exchange of letters. In this agreement, India proposed the following:
i. Both countries would exercise sovereign rights over living and non-living resources in their respective exclusive economic zones.
ii. Indian Fishing vessels or fishermen would refrain from fishing in the historic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone of Sri Lanka.
Shri S. Jaishankar emphasized that in 1974, assurances were made, followed by the formal agreement in 1976. This agreement established a standard government stance on the issue. Shri Jaishankar quoted the response of the then Minister E. Ahmed in parliament, where Ahmed stated that the 1974 agreement delineated the International Maritime boundary line between India and Sri Lanka, along with the exchange of letters in 1976 regarding fishing rights. Thus, this position was adopted by the government.
Union Minister Shri S. Jaishankar noted that over the past 20 years, Sri Lanka has detained 6184 Indian fishermen, and during the same period, 1175 Indian fishing vessels have been seized by Sri Lanka. He highlighted that over the past five years, the Katchatheevu and Fishermen's issues have been consistently raised in Parliament and in the consultative committee by various parties. Shri Jaishankar noted that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has frequently corresponded with him on this matter, and he has responded to the Chief Minister's letters on 21 occasions. Shri Jaishankar emphasized that the Katchatheevu issue is not a new development but rather a longstanding matter that has been discussed and debated in the past. Shri Jaishankar pointed out that it has been a subject of correspondence between the Union Government and the state government over time.
Senior BJP Leader Shri S Jaishankar highlighted that every political party in Tamil Nadu has taken a stance on the Katchatheevu issue. Shri Jaishankar pointed out that the DMK and Congress have approached the matter as if they bear no responsibility for it, projecting it as a current problem solely for the central government to resolve, without acknowledging its historical context. Union Minister emphasized the public's right to understand the origins of the situation. Shri Jaishankar raised questions about how the 1974 agreement was reached, how Katchatheevu was ceded, and how the fishing issue, stemming from the 1976 agreement, was managed. Shri Jaishankar highlighted that two documents, requested under RTI, were provided: one was the MEA summary background note for the 1968 Informal Consultative Committee meeting on the issue, and the second was a record of discussion between the then Foreign Secretary and then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, in June 1974. Shri Jaishankar pointed out that while the 1974 and 1976 agreements are known, as well as the actors involved, what remains unclear is who concealed this details of the process.
Shri S Jaishankar emphasized that there have been claims and counterclaims between India and Sri Lanka regarding ‘Katchatheevu’ island. India's claim primarily rests on the historical ownership by the Raja of Ramnad, who acquired it during the time of the East India Company. It was part of his Zamindari rights, which also encompassed fisheries in the area. Following the period of the Raja of Ramnad's ownership, the rights to Katchatheevu transitioned to the Madras Government. Another argument put forth was that post-independence, Indian customs routinely visited Katchatheevu without encountering obstruction. Moreover, the Indian perspective asserted the absence of documentary evidence demonstrating Sri Lanka's original title to Katchatheevu.
Minister of External Affairs, Shri S Jaishankar said that the documents released under RTI underscored that Sri Lanka claims that it maintains records dating back to the 17th century to support its case. Additionally, they cite conferences that allegedly viewed their claim favorably. After India and Sri Lanka gained independence, there were differences between the militaries of the two nations regarding the utilization of Katchatheevu island. The Katchatheevu issue between the two countries stemmed from these events. It primarily began to unfold in the 1960s, sparking numerous discussions. However, a crucial turning point occurred in 1974, just months before the Katchatheevu agreement was formalized. This pivotal moment transpired during a meeting between then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and the Indian Prime Minister at the time, Indira Gandhi.
Shri S Jaishankar noted that in 1958, the former Attorney-General for India, M. C. Setalvad, gave a legal opinion emphasizing India's claim over ‘Katchatheevu’ island. Setalvad suggested that even if the balance of arguments didn't favor India, there was still a basis for asserting Indian fishermen's access to the waters around the island. Additionally, Shri Jaishankar highlighted the stance of Krishna Rao, then MEA Joint Secretary, legal and Treaties, who advocated for utilizing India's robust legal position to protect fishermen's rights.
Union EAM Shri S Jaishankar highlighted that the ‘Katchatheevu’ island was ceded in 1974, followed by the granting of fishing rights in 1976. Shri Jaishankar pointed out that there are several aspects to consider in understanding how this occurred. One fundamental and recurring aspect is the apparent indifference displayed by the then-central government and the Prime Minister toward territory of India. The stark reality is that they simply didn't care. Shri S Jaishankar highlighted Jawaharlal Nehru's statement, "I attach no importance at all to this little island and I would have no hesitation in giving up our claims on the island. I do not like this pending matter indefinitely and being raised again and again in parliament."
Shri S Jaishankar highlighted the statement of former Member of Parliament G. Viswanathan from Tamil Nadu, expressing concern over the neglect of the ‘Katchatheevu’ island. Viswanathan recalled Indira Gandhi's dismissive remarks about the island during an AICC meeting, likening it to Nehru's disregard for India's northern boundary. He warned that such attitudes erode public trust in leadership, implying that history might repeat itself for then PM Indira Gandhi if she continues to downplay the significance of Indian territories.
Shri Jaishankar emphasized that whether it was Pandit Nehru or Indira Gandhi, Katchatheevu held little significance for them, being viewed as nothing more than a 'rock' or 'a small island of no importance'. This historical attitude of the Congress towards Katchatheevu was not limited to individual perspectives but had permeated into the very ethos of the party.
Union Minister Shri Jaishankar underscored a statement by former senior Congress leader HKL Bhagat regarding the Katchatheevu issue, where he remarked that the DMK's attempt to leverage the matter for political survival in Tamil Nadu was bound to fail. Drawing a parallel with Jan Sangh's failed attempt to use the Kutch issue for survival, Bhagat emphasized the maturity of the Indian and Tamil Nadu populace, asserting that it was in India's interest to maintain good relations with its smaller neighbors. Shri Jaishankar highlighted the entrenched and pervasive nature of this mindset, emphasizing how, from their perspective in Delhi, the ‘Katchatheevu’ island was deemed inconsequential—a mere inconvenience to be disposed of, a headache to be rid of. Shri Jaishankar emphasized that the Jan Sangh (Now BJP) consistently prioritized the interests of India, valuing every inch of Indian territory. In contrast, other parties seemed unconcerned even about significant tracts of Indian land, such as Aksai Chin.
Shri S. Jaishankar pointed out that before a year the Katchatheevu agreement, discussions had already begun between the Union Minister and the DMK-led state government. In the released document the then Foreign Secretary recalled talks held with the Chief Minister in New Delhi on October 13, 1973 before the official talks between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo on October 15-16, 1973. Shri S Jaishankar stated that the purpose was to keep the Tamil Nadu government fully informed about the negotiations with Sri Lanka and ensure they benefited from the discussions. This indicates that consultations were ongoing, and the DMK-led government was kept fully informed, despite their claims otherwise.
Union Minister Shri S. Jaishankar highlighted that the Foreign Secretary said he was empowered by the then Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to offer a compromise proposal to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, aiming to divide the historic waters. Shri S. Jaishankar emphasized that it is now clear who initiated and concealed the actions regarding the Katchatheevu agreement in 1974 and the termination of fishing rights in 1976. Shri Jaishankar mentioned that the record shows that the Chief Minister showed a willingness to consider the proposed solution but refrained from publicly endorsing it due to political considerations. Shri S Jaishankar stressed that the public is now well aware of "Who did it and Who hid it" concerning the Katchatheevu issue. He highlighted that this matter has been kept hidden from public view for a long time. In conclusion, Shri Jaishankar stated that the press conference aimed to raise awareness about the Katchatheevu issue and the rights of fishermen.
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