Katchatheevu issue is in hot flash point. Is it political gimmick or just BJP has concerns for Katchatheevu and acted anything for that so far? The news report was based on replies received under a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by BJP Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai, on the ceding of the island situated in the Palk Straits to Sri Lanka by the government of India in 1974.
The RTI replies gives details over the conflicting claims on the island, with Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) pressing its claims soon after independence, as detailed in the news report, with the Opposition even way back during late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s time questioning the government of India for being inclined to cede the territory. After agreeing to cede the island to Sri Lanka in 1974, then Indira Gandhi informed then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of the same. Modiji’s post is against his party T N opponents Cong and DMK in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
But DMK and Congress question BJP now, why for the last 10 years nothing Modi Govt did about Katcha theevu. Modiji seemed to raise the issue only recently. They say only for election BJP raises this issue, for getting votes only Modi comes and talks about Tamil Nadu issues, otherwise he ignores all that the DMK Govt asked for TN. They give a list of demands and records show no reply by Modi in those 9 years.
When Srilanka had financial problem and crisis that peaked in 2022-23 which saw spiralling inflation, emptying of foreign exchange reserves, and shortages of basic commodities. India came forward with aid to Srilanka quickly. The economic crisis proved that Sri Lanka may have many friends around the world but it was India’s US$4 billion in aiding its economic recovery which saved Sri Lanka from economic anarchy. India will always remain an immediate neighbour and the most important bilateral relationship for Sri Lanka politically. Thats a huge amount for India.
Here is the connection between TN parties arguments: Tamil Nadu People’s expectation was Indian Govt should have talked to Srilanka at that time of huge financial aid. There is always agitations and requests to Central Govt about 1) Modifying Srilankan Constitution so as to give equal rights to Tamils and their North eastern provinces 2) Settlement of Sinhalis in Northern province in Tamil people’s owned lands should be stopped and reverted. 3) Rehabilitation and compensation for Srilankan Govt brutal killings of common people in the later stages of Tamil Eelam war 4) Actions based on neutral/UN convened International War-crime missions’ reports and punishing those involved in war-crimes 5) Katcha Thivu – rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
The whole concept of Modiji as superman and great negotiator of India’s causes, the parties say, was shattered in many instances including this one. While China extended some Billions as loan facility with lot of debt burden attached to it and always Chinese negotiate to take over one port or the other of such indebted countries, India extended amount from exchequer as a grant. This is fine if we don’t have major issues with a country. But we have major problems with Sri lanka. That time was the time to remind Srilanka and they could have accepted to one or many of our legitimate demands. Modi Govt failed to even bring these to Srilanka Govt’s notice inspite of many reminders by DMK when Srilankan Ranil Wikremasinge was in India to talk to Modi Govt. Last year before Ranil Wickramasinge visited Indian PM(for the financial help) M.K.Stalin wrote to PM to negotiate a deal with him about Katchatheevu. In the last many years he wrote 21 times to PM about Katchatheevu. Many argue that India could have bought Katchatheevu and also some more ports for this huge amount without any problem. Also we could have asked them to give back the lands taken away form Tamils in North East to for this amount that could have resettled 10s of thousands of Srilankan Tamils affected by Eelam war. But Modi Govt. was not in listening mode as is the norm and it lead the country as top to bottom level govt. One man decides what to do and communicates to others. They argue that 4.9 years of the second regime was one way communication and only the last 3 months Modi is no other go except to meet electorates. Only at the time of election they come and talk all about Tamil Nadu. In Power one cant hear people voice, with money in hand($4 billion)one cant see anything else other than the one who wants to grab.
Looking at the reactions of that one tweet of Modiji – by Srilankan Govt and their Media is showing that estranging relationship happens in a flash. Srilankan media breathes fire on the issue, slamming Modi and EAM remarks on Kutcha theevu as an “unnecessary provocation of a friendly neighbour that could lead to serious consequences.” So when you give $4 billion – with no bargain, no contractual obligation but now you irritate the same country with some uncalled for remarks, so that your neighbour is now turning towards China. The process is already completed for Srilanka.
Modi Govt thinks and acts as part of Akhand Bharath the neighbours except Pakistan have same kind of cultural civilisation as of India. But reality is this Normative approach of India – India intervening in domestic affairs of its neighbours such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives is not welcomed by them. Also With our current vociferous MEA India lost delicacy in talks, and losing neighbours rapidly to China.
Norms-free-zone- China has offered itself as a no-frills non-normative alternative to India, and that this has changed the India-centric calculus of the region.
Modi Govt’s changed One track approach of India – India’s current policy stance of dealing only with those on power is less risky but it also generates path-dependencies and alienates other centres of power or opposition leaders.
Pro-China orientation- India’s status quo bias has created problems in Bangladesh where the opposition party has become hostile about India and oriented towards China.
Flawed assumption- India believes that South Asia minus Pakistan would be amenable to India and that the India’s cultural and historical ties with the region would give it an advantage over China
Debt trap diplomacy- It is China’s predatory lending practice in which poor countries are overwhelmed with unsustainable loans and would be forced to cede control of strategic assets to China. Example- Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.
Friendly approach- China tried to resolve border disputes with its neighbours except India as seen in the case of Bhutan, where China offered to swap territory in exchange for Doklam plateau, which is claimed by both Bhutan and China. This approach is marketed as win-win situation for negotiating parties. But India’s current approach is considered Lose-Lose (for example India lost $4 billion given in aid without proper talks about our long standing problems with Srilanka – Srilanka Govt also lost a chance to show to their people that this amount is in exchange of this or that- that would have created more self respect for Srilankans).
Same approach through foreign policy and relationship with Nepal , resulted in their total realignment with China. Bangladesh opposition accused India as India’s policy of talking only to rulers irks them. Maldives the same problem, now they are closer to China. All because Modi works on Akhanda Bharat concept – But only China benefits by Modiji’s approach.
China has fully blown into an enemy status, as China feels it can’t trust to talk to anyone in India.It is not that Modiji had no options of experts: Dr.Subramaniam Swamy had built a long rapport with China, -he could have been used by Modi to make a meaningful give and take truce, but Modiji might be afraid to allow some one take any credit. So Dr.SS is sidelined and not used at all in diplomacy.
Modiji’s reliance on executive turned politician Mr. S. Jaishankar has completely changed many aspects of our relationships with foreign countries. In west his argumentative approach brings some rewards to India but also many friends are turned into enemies like Canada. Thats great. But in the neighbourhood they used to have nice, gentle, non-argumentative, listeners. But his approach makes them not coming to him as friendly as they used to be with other MEAs.
What can next Indian Govt do now?
Constructive engagement- India need to proactively pursue the involvement of friendly external actors in the region, to counter the possibility of a Sino-centric South Asia and lessen the anti-India elements in the neighbourhood.
Flexible policy- India should engage with multiple actors in each of the neighbouring countries to reduce their anti-India attitude and increase their trust
Effective diplomacy- India should increase the human resources and capacity for India’s diplomatic pursuits, to match its growing role in world affairs. For this EAM should not be impulsive and argumentative. Foreign affairs is all about delicately getting things done rather than wanting to get credit for your talks. For example: Now in this Katchatheevu matter instead EAM should have convinced Modiji to make the post unhurting sentiments of Srilanka and also he should have remarked about great relationship with Srilanka after Modiji’s post, a normal EAM would have made light of the matter and nipped in the bud the Srilankan angry reactions in news channels about India. In that way If he talked to the Foreign Minister of Srilanka even without Modiji X post, he could have got some bargains from Srilanka. Same way his remarks in public about previous financial help irked Nepal.