PM Modi Says, “We Can’t Ever Trust Congress” Over Katchatheevu Island Handover To Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticized the Congress party for ceding control of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister in 1974. PM Modi said this decision has angered many people and demonstrated that the Congress party cannot be trusted. Modi accused the Congress of weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests during its many years in power.

He stated that new facts have come to light about how the Congress party carelessly gave away Katchatheevu island. This has provoked anger among all Indians and reaffirmed that the Congress party cannot be trusted. His tweet read, “Eye opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds- we can’t ever trust Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting.”

The island of Katchatheevu, located between Rameswaram in India and Sri Lanka, was traditionally used by fishermen from both countries. In 1974, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi accepted Sri Lankan sovereignty over Katchatheevu island under the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement. This agreement formally granted Sri Lanka control over the island’s waters.

Last year, during a parliamentary debate, Modi had also criticized the Congress for dividing “Mother India” for political gain. He specifically highlighted that Katchatheevu island was ceded to Sri Lanka during Indira Gandhi’s premiership in 1974. Modi asked rhetorically whether Katchatheevu was not part of Mother India.

Modi stated that under Congress leadership, Katchatheevu island, part of Mother India, was broken away and given to another country. He noted that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had written to him asking for the return of Katchatheevu island. However, Modi emphasized that it was the Congress government under Indira Gandhi that had given away the island in the first place.