Katchatheevu controversy: Why international agreements are best left alone in domestic politics

News Snapshot:

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi amplified an RTI reply on Katchatheevu obtained by Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai by accusing Indira Gandhi’s government of “callously giving away” the island to Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated the talking points in the issue — but did not go further. Asked whether the Indian government intended to “reopen” the 1974 bilateral pact on Katchatheevu, the diplomat-turned politician said the issue was “sub judice” — referring to a petition filed in the Supreme Court by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. While the controversy is being viewed as a...