The External Affairs Ministry of Bharat has opted to stay out of the political dispute surrounding Katchatheevu island. The spokesperson mentioned that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had addressed all concerns regarding the matter during recent media interactions.
Katchatheevu island, situated approximately 20 km from the Bharatiya coast, falls within the maritime boundary claimed by Sri Lanka under agreements signed in 1974 and 1976 between the two nations. These agreements were inked during the tenure of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, from the Congress party.
The BJP leader in Tamil Nadu, K Annamalai, unearthed documents via a Right To Information (RTI) query, suggesting that previous Congress governments hadn’t accorded significant importance to the island. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar criticized the Congress and the DMK for their handling of the issue.
During the weekly media briefing by the External Affairs Ministry, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal faced a barrage of questions regarding Katchatheevu island. Jaiswal directed reporters to the minister’s press interactions in Delhi and Gujarat for clarifications.
Questions raised included inquiries about the BJP-led government’s actions over the past decade concerning the matter and whether discussions had been initiated with Sri Lanka. Additionally, queries emerged about Bharat’s response to assertions by Sri Lankan leaders regarding their jurisdiction over Katchatheevu island.
Jaiswal reiterated that the minister had comprehensively addressed these queries in his press briefings.
Over the years, the External Affairs Ministry consistently maintained that Katchatheevu island lies within Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary, as delineated in 1974. The agreements did not entail the acquisition or relinquishment of any Bharatiya territory.
Bharat’s stance has provoked reactions within Sri Lankan political circles, prompting calls for a response from the government in Colombo. A prominent Sri Lankan think tank recently advocated for establishing a marine research station on Katchatheevu island.
The issue continues to spark debate and draw attention from both Bharatiya and Sri Lankan stakeholders, with implications for bilateral relations between the two nations.
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