Chennai, June 20:
Sri Lankan MP and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem has said that the Katchatheevu issue is already a settled matter under international law and bilateral agreements, cautioning against raising it as a solution to the fishermen dispute.
Speaking during his visit to Chennai, Hakeem said that repeatedly bringing up the Katchatheevu issue during conflicts is not a wise approach. He noted that the sovereignty of the island has been clearly determined and cannot be altered unilaterally by either India or Sri Lanka.
Referring to calls by some Tamil Nadu leaders to retrieve Katchatheevu as a solution to fishermen arrests, Hakeem said such a move would require military intervention, which India is unlikely to pursue. “The Indian government has already accepted Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over Katchatheevu,” he said.
He added that any attempt to revisit the issue would have to be taken up at the United Nations, as maritime boundaries recognised internationally cannot be changed arbitrarily.
Highlighting humanitarian aspects, Hakeem said Indian citizens continue to have access to Katchatheevu, especially for pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Church, without restrictions.
Meanwhile, incidents of Sri Lankan Navy detaining Tamil Nadu fishermen for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries continue to be reported, along with seizure of fishing boats.