India has told its Supreme Court that it has no intention of reopening the 1974 and 1976 agreements with Sri Lanka concerning Katchatheevu and maritime fishing rights, citing the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Indian government before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva, said concerns involving Indian fishermen were being pursued through diplomatic channels.
However, he said India could not compel Sri Lanka to accept or comply with its position.
The submissions were made during the hearing of petitions challenging the 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan agreement concerning Katchatheevu and the subsequent 1976 agreement restricting Indian fishermen’s fishing rights in Sri Lankan waters.
The Indian government also raised concerns over Indian fishermen repeatedly crossing the international maritime boundary.
Venkataramani said the depletion of fish stocks on the Indian side had contributed to fishermen from Tamil Nadu entering Sri Lankan waters and stressed the need to sensitise fishermen against crossing the maritime boundary.
The Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutional or legal validity of the two agreements during the hearing, leaving the challenges pending.
Senior Advocate P. Wilson, appearing for petitioners in A.K. Selvaraj v. Union of India, argued that the 1974 agreement amounted to a transfer of territory and therefore required an amendment to Schedule I of the Indian Constitution.
The petitions, pending before the Supreme Court since 2008, challenge both the transfer of Katchatheevu and the fishing restrictions introduced under the 1976 agreement.
The case has been scheduled for further hearing in February 2027. (Newswire)