| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and its neighborhood, Issue: Katchatheevu issue |
Context: Resurfacing of Katchatheevu issue in Parliamentary election has brought the rules of global engagement at forefront
Rules of global engagement:
- International agreements are based on information available at the time and involve compromise.
- Good deals stand the test of time and uphold the principle of abiding by agreements.
- Examples include India’s boundary agreements with Bangladesh and maritime boundary settlement.
Concerns with recent political dialogue on Katchatheevu Island:
- Unilateral actions risk India’s international credibility and can strain bilateral ties.
- Reopening pacts based on narrow political convenience sets a problematic precedent.
Conclusion:
- India’s responsible behavior has earned it credibility and exemptions in international forums.
- Provocative claims like those regarding Katchatheevu could undermine goodwill and invite opportunism from China.
