11th September 2025 (16 Topics)
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India–Sri Lanka Maritime Disputes
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Context:
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo in April 2025, India and Sri Lanka revisited long-standing concerns over the fisheries crisis in the Palk Straits and the sovereignty of Katchatheevu island.
The Fisheries Issue
- Livelihood vs. Conservation: Indian mechanised bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters depletes fish stocks and damages coral beds, violating both ecological imperatives and UNCLOS principles.
- Impact on Communities: Artisanal fishers in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province face declining near-shore resources, creating a livelihood conflict within Tamil communities themselves.
- Policy Response Needed: Sustainable solutions require distinguishing between trawler operators seeking profit and traditional fishers dependent on subsistence fishing.
The KatchatheevuIssue:
- Treaty Settlement: The 1974 India–Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty placed Katchatheevu under Sri Lankan sovereignty, a legally binding settlement consistent with international law.
- Clarifying Misconceptions: Historical evidence, including Portuguese, Dutch, and Jaffna administrative records, supported Sri Lanka’s stronger claim, making retrieval politically rhetorical.
- Rights and Precedents: Fishing rights are distinct from sovereignty, with international precedents (ICJ Minquiers&Ecrehos case, 1953; Rann of Kutch arbitration, 1968) underscoring the sanctity of boundary treaties.
Towards Cooperative Solutions
- Joint Resource Management: Article 123 of UNCLOS encourages cooperation in semi-enclosed seas, enabling quota-sharing, seasonal rights, and joint research on marine conservation.
- Deep-Sea Fishing Alternatives: Promoting deep-sea fishing within India’s EEZ could reduce pressure on near-shore waters and lessen illegal crossings into Sri Lankan territory.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Multi-level engagement, including government-to-government talks, state/provincial dialogues, and community participation, is essential to preserve India–Sri Lanka cultural and civilisational ties.
Practice Question:
“Discuss the challenges and opportunities in resolving the Palk Strait fisheries dispute between India and Sri Lanka. How can cooperative mechanisms reconcile livelihood security, ecological sustainability, and treaty obligations?” (250 words)
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