The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has refrained from directly engaging in the ongoing dispute surrounding the Katchatheevu island. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed to recent statements made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the matter, suggesting that interested parties refer to those for clarity.
This development comes amidst accusations from the Narendra Modi-led government, targeting the Congress and its ally, DMK, for allegedly disregarding national interests in the cession of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in the 1970s.
Jaishankar has criticized successive Congress-led administrations for overlooking the issue of Katchatheevu island, implying their indifference towards safeguarding Indian fishermen's rights. He highlighted that past prime ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, trivialized Katchatheevu, despite its significance.
Jaishankar argued that the issue has always been relevant, with records showing the involvement of the then-Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi in discussions concerning the island.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi has also joined the fray, accusing the Congress and DMK of neglecting Tamil Nadu's interests. Modi criticized the Congress for allegedly conceding the island and accused the DMK of failing to protect fishermen's rights.
These remarks come in response to revelations from an RTI query, suggesting the DMK's complicity in the agreement over Katchatheevu despite public opposition.
The Katchatheevu dispute has long been a contentious issue, with BJP and opposition parties trading barbs over its handling. The BJP, in particular, has consistently targeted the Congress and DMK, accusing them of undermining national interests.
However, with the MEA's decision to steer clear of the controversy, the issue remains unresolved, leaving room for further political wrangling between parties.
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