Overview

• India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reignited the controversy over Katchatheevu island, blaming past Congress governments for ceding it to Sri Lanka in 1974.
• The issue has become a focal point in Tamil Nadu politics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with the BJP accusing Congress and DMK of neglecting Tamil Nadu's interests.
• Over 6,000 Indian fishermen have been detained by Sri Lanka in the last 20 years, highlighting the ongoing tensions over fishing rights in the region.
• Legal challenges against the 1974 agreement have emerged, but efforts to reclaim the island have not been successful, with the BJP now facing criticism for not acting during its tenure.
• The controversy underscores the complex history and political significance of Katchatheevu, affecting India-Sri Lanka relations and the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu fishermen.