Resolving the Katchatheevu and Palk Strait disputes through sustainable fishing and regional cooperation
The long-standing dispute between India and Sri Lanka over the sovereignty of Katchatheevu island and fishing rights in the Palk Strait remains a critical bilateral issue. While India accepted Sri Lanka's sovereignty in 1974, the livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen is frequently threatened by arrests and vessel seizures. The article suggests a shift from territorial conflict to resource management. Proposed solutions include implementing the UNCLOS framework for joint resource management, establishing a joint research station on Katchatheevu, and promoting deep-sea fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone to reduce pressure on near-shore waters and lessen illegal crossings.
Key Points
- The 1974 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty recognized Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory, a decision legally consistent with historical precedents.
- Bottom trawling by Indian vessels is a major source of ecological damage and conflict, leading to bans by Sri Lanka in 2017.
- UNCLOS Article 123 encourages cooperation in semi-enclosed seas for joint resource management and environmental protection.
- A sustainable solution requires distinguishing between artisanal fishers and commercial trawler operators to ensure community welfare and ecological sustainability.
Exam Facts
- 1974 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty.
- UNCLOS Article 123 (Cooperation of States in closed or semi-enclosed seas).
- Rann of Kutch Arbitration (1968) cited as a precedent for territorial settlements.
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