External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Katchatheevu island controversy, revealing historical perspectives. He mentioned Jawaharlal Nehru's willingness to cede the island to Sri Lanka and the subsequent acceptance of the island by the Indira Gandhi government in 1974 under the Indo-Sri Lankan maritime agreement.

The issue resurfaced following a media report based on an RTI reply received by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. Dr Jaishankar quoted former External Affairs Minister Swaran Singh's assurance in Parliament regarding fishing rights and maritime boundaries with Sri Lanka.

He highlighted the consequential agreements between India and Sri Lanka, including restrictions on fishing activities, leading to tensions and detainments of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities.

Dr Jaishankar emphasized the long-standing concern over Katchatheevu, regularly raised by Tamil Nadu's Chief Ministers and in Parliament. He critiqued the Congress and DMK's approach, accusing them of historical indifference and dismissing Nehru and Indira Gandhi's dismissive attitudes towards the island.

Prime Minister Modi's recent statements on the issue were reiterated, pointing out Congress's decision to cede the island and criticizing the DMK's inaction in safeguarding Tamil Nadu's interests.

Congress's Manickam Tagore dismissed BJP's accusations as a diversionary tactic, attributing the decision to cede the island to an agreement aimed at protecting Tamil populations. DMK's A Saravanan echoed similar sentiments, questioning the timing of BJP's focus on the issue and labeling it as a tactic to divert attention from other pressing matters.

Overall, Dr Jaishankar's remarks shed light on the historical and political dimensions of the Katchatheevu controversy, highlighting the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding the issue in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Katchatheevu island controversy, revealing historical perspectives. He mentioned Jawaharlal Nehru's willingness to cede the island to Sri Lanka and the subsequent acceptance of the island by the Indira Gandhi government in 1974 under the Indo-Sri Lankan maritime agreement.

The issue resurfaced following a media report based on an RTI reply received by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. Dr Jaishankar quoted former External Affairs Minister Swaran Singh's assurance in Parliament regarding fishing rights and maritime boundaries with Sri Lanka.

He highlighted the consequential agreements between India and Sri Lanka, including restrictions on fishing activities, leading to tensions and detainments of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities.

Dr Jaishankar emphasized the long-standing concern over Katchatheevu, regularly raised by Tamil Nadu's Chief Ministers and in Parliament. He critiqued the Congress and DMK's approach, accusing them of historical indifference and dismissing Nehru and Indira Gandhi's dismissive attitudes towards the island.

Prime Minister Modi's recent statements on the issue were reiterated, pointing out Congress's decision to cede the island and criticizing the DMK's inaction in safeguarding Tamil Nadu's interests.

Congress's Manickam Tagore dismissed BJP's accusations as a diversionary tactic, attributing the decision to cede the island to an agreement aimed at protecting Tamil populations. DMK's A Saravanan echoed similar sentiments, questioning the timing of BJP's focus on the issue and labeling it as a tactic to divert attention from other pressing matters.

Overall, Dr Jaishankar's remarks shed light on the historical and political dimensions of the Katchatheevu controversy, highlighting the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding the issue in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.