The Early Spring is proof not everyone can talk about their real feelings, and it is perfectly OK

UN votes to ‘correct the map’ as India backs fairer world view

Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations

Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador

Bengaluru: Officials find 40 kg expired chilli at chairman's club 

Jaishankar rejects trade link to ending Ukraine war 

Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill three, injure 23 despite truce

Alpine glacier was covered with sheep wool sheets to prevent melting. It worked

South Korea mulls deploying military assets to Strait of Hormuz

World's fifth-largest economy, British army can't afford to train

Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit

Taiwan raises 'concerns' over China's missile test

BRICS 2026: $1 trillion sovereign capital set to converge in Delhi for first iBRICS Summit

What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump has again threatened to bomb?

UN votes to correct world map that visually shrank Africa for 450 years

Former NewJeans member Danielle launches YouTube channel, hints at new solo journey

Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa

Brendan Fraser’s transformation fuels The Mummy 4 excitement as fans welcome back Rick O’Connell

Krishna Janmashtami 2026: From Dhaniya Panjiri to Makhana Kheer- 5 best sweet dishes perfect for celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth

Donald Trump plans to travel to Ireland on Qatari-donated jet amid security concerns

Nazi-looted art to return to Jewish heirs

Eight killed in Kerala’s Thrissur after car rams into lorry parked on highway

Why Russian fighter jets use bulky, low-pressure tyres compared to US jets

FBI-wanted fraud accused arrested in Jalandhar over $600,000 scam

Why US tanks weigh over 20 tons more than Russian tanks

New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest

The Kremlin has dismissed a report that Russian military intelligence might be behind the mysterious "Havana syndrome" ailment that has afflicted US diplomats and spies globally. Watch in for more details!

Kremlin dismisses report Russia behind 'Havana Syndrome' calls it baseless accusations by media

Indonesia's president-elect Prabowo Subianto met Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing and this is Subianto first foreign trips since elections. Watch in for more details!

China seeks long-term partnership with Indonesia: Xi Jinping

Imagine a future where online orders are delivered anywhere in the world within an hour and not by trucks or drones but by Rockets. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding has partnered with a domestic rocket developer, with the lofty goal of delivering parcels anywhere in the world within an hour.

Alibaba tests rocket parcel delivery service

Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari speaks to WION on Indo Pacific, situation in Northern border, Western border, ties with Russia, Make in India & Humanitarian issues. WION's principal correspondent Sidhant Sibal held one-on-one talks with Chief of the Air Staff Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. Watch in for more details!

'Indian Air Force has been first respondent to any crisis', says IAF Chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari

<p>Ukraine on Tuesday (Apr 2) claimed to have launched a drone attack on Russia's third largest oil refinery, which is about 1,300 km from the front lines. The drone reportedly hit a core unit which processes about 155,000 barrels of crude refining per day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Images from the scene indicated the drone hit the primary refining unit, CDU-7, at the Taneco refinery. The unit is apparently responsible for around half of the plant's total annual production capacity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Kyiv intelligence source told the news agency Reuters that the attack on Tatarstan hit a facility where Russia produces Shahed drones, which are frequently used in assaults on Ukrainian territory. Ukraine's military spy agency claimed earlier that "significant damage" had been caused to a military target.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-stepping-up-persecution-of-last-independent-journalists-and-media-alleges-reporters-without-borders-706723">Russia stepping up 'persecution of last independent journalists and media,' alleges Reporters Without Borders</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A Reuters report cited Russian officials as saying that its jamming devices locked onto a Ukrainian drone near Tatneft's Taneco refinery, which has an annual production capacity of more than 17 million tonnes (340,000 barrels per day).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state RIA news agency said that a fire broke out at the refinery that was extinguished within 20 minutes. It added that the production had not been disrupted. So far, there are no reports of casualties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A drone attack was carried out on one of the enterprises in Nizhnekamsk. There are no casualties or serious damage. The technological process of the enterprise has not been disrupted," Ramil Mullin, the mayor of Nizhnekamsk, said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.</strong></em></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">/1. Tonight, Ukrainian kamikaze drones of a new model attacked the Shahed 136 production plant in Russia, as well as the Nizhnekamsk oil refinery. Both are located more than 1100km from the frontline. <a href="https://t.co/NHVmekrt93">pic.twitter.com/NHVmekrt93</a></p>
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) <a href="https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1775057693566259510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-secret-intelligence-unit-responsible-for-spreading-havana-syndrome-in-us-canada-report-706432">Russia's secret intelligence unit responsible for spreading 'Havana Syndrome' in US, Canada: Report</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In recent times, Ukraine has started to target the oil refineries of Russia, which is the world's second-largest oil exporter. Such attacks have the potential to impact Moscow's highly lucrative trade in refined products.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States also raised concerns over such attacks on Russian refineries as it may lead to the potential for escalation with Russia in the ongoing war.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ukraine on Tuesday (Apr 2) claimed to have launched a drone attack on Russia's third largest oil refinery, which is about 1,300 km from the front lines. The drone reportedly hit a core unit which processes about 155,000 barrels of crude refining per day.

Ukraine on Tuesday (Apr 2) claimed to have launched a drone attack on Russia's third largest oil refinery, which is about 1,300 km from the front lines. The drone reportedly hit a core unit which processes about 155,000 barrels of crude refining per day. Images from the scene indicated the drone hit the primary refining unit, CDU-7, at the Taneco refinery. The unit is apparently responsible for around half of the plant's total annual production capacity. A Kyiv intelligence source told the news agency Reuters that the attack on Tatarstan hit a facility where Russia produces Shahed drones, which are frequently used in assaults on Ukrainian territory. Ukraine's military spy agency claimed earlier that "significant damage" had been caused to a military target. Also read: Russia stepping up 'persecution of last independent journalists and media,' alleges Reporters Without Borders A Reuters report cited Russian officials as saying that its jamming devices locked onto a Ukrainian drone near Tatneft's Taneco refinery, which has an annual production capacity of more than 17 million tonnes (340,000 barrels per day). The state RIA news agency said that a fire broke out at the refinery that was extinguished within 20 minutes. It added that the production had not been disrupted. So far, there are no reports of casualties. "A drone attack was carried out on one of the enterprises in Nizhnekamsk. There are no casualties or serious damage. The technological process of the enterprise has not been disrupted," Ramil Mullin, the mayor of Nizhnekamsk, said. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. /1. Tonight, Ukrainian kamikaze drones of a new model attacked the Shahed 136 production plant in Russia, as well as the Nizhnekamsk oil refinery. Both are located more than 1100km from the frontline. pic.twitter.com/NHVmekrt93 — Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) April 2, 2024 × Also read: Russia's secret intelligence unit responsible for spreading 'Havana Syndrome' in US, Canada: Report In recent times, Ukraine has started to target the oil refineries of Russia, which is the world's second-largest oil exporter. Such attacks have the potential to impact Moscow's highly lucrative trade in refined products. The United States also raised concerns over such attacks on Russian refineries as it may lead to the potential for escalation with Russia in the ongoing war. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine launches drone attack on Russia’s third biggest oil refinery 800 miles from front lines

Four international aid workers from the World Central Kitchen charity, along with their Palestinian driver, were killed in a strike on their vehicle in central Gaza late Monday after assisting in the delivery of food and other supplies to northern Gaza that had arrived by ship hours earlier, according to Gaza health officials.

Israeli strike kills four foreign aid workers: Gaza officials

India has rejected an outright attempt by China to rename around 30 locations in its Northeastern State of Arunachal Pradesh. Over the years China has made several claims on Arunachal Pradesh calling it Zangnan and a part of South Tibet. India has always dismissed these claims by China.

India-China naming row | India's FM: Assigning invented names will not alter reality

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife is getting a personal salon next to the prime minister's office on taxpayer's money.

Sara Netanyahu's personal salon draws ire in Israel

Tensions are escalating in West Asia according to reports that suspected Israeli war planes have bombed Iran's Embassy in Syria. Iran says the bombing killed seven of its military advisers including three of its senior commanders.

Breakdown of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps

<p><strong>Finland school shooting:</strong> At least one child has died and two others&nbsp;have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say. It was earlier said that three&nbsp;victims, all of whom were 12 years old, had been injured and that the suspect, who was of the same age, has been detained.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Finland school shooting</strong></h2>

<p>Police have not released the&nbsp;identities of the children or the condition of the two surviving victims.</p>

<p>The incident happened at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. According&nbsp;to the local municipality, the school has around 800 students in the first to ninth grades and a staff of about 90 people.</p>

<p>“The immediate danger is over,” the Viertola school’s principal Sari Laasila told Reuters. She declined&nbsp;to comment further on the incident.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/us-one-killed-four-injured-in-easter-brunch-shooting-at-restaurant-gunman-at-large-706354" hreflang="en">US: One killed, four injured in Easter brunch shooting at a Nashville restaurant, gunman at large</a></strong></p>

<p>The suspect surrendered in Siltamaki, away from the school without any protest.&nbsp;According to police, the 12-year-old is the only suspect in the shooting.</p>

<h2><strong>Finland school shooting latest update</strong></h2>

<p>A video showing two policemen kneeling at the side of the suspected shooter, who is lying face down on a sidewalk, is making rounds of social media.</p>

<p>Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on X, "The day started in a horrifying way... I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment. The suspected perpetrator has been caught."</p>

<p>Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, shocked by the shooting, wrote on X, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff."&nbsp;</p>

<section data-component="text-block">
<p><em><strong>More to follow...</strong></em></p>
</section>


Finland school shooting: At least one child has died and two others have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say.

Finland school shooting: At least one child has died and two others have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say. It was earlier said that three victims, all of whom were 12 years old, had been injured and that the suspect, who was of the same age, has been detained. Finland school shooting Police have not released the identities of the children or the condition of the two surviving victims. The incident happened at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. According to the local municipality, the school has around 800 students in the first to ninth grades and a staff of about 90 people. “The immediate danger is over,” the Viertola school’s principal Sari Laasila told Reuters. She declined to comment further on the incident. Also read | US: One killed, four injured in Easter brunch shooting at a Nashville restaurant, gunman at large The suspect surrendered in Siltamaki, away from the school without any protest. According to police, the 12-year-old is the only suspect in the shooting. Finland school shooting latest update A video showing two policemen kneeling at the side of the suspected shooter, who is lying face down on a sidewalk, is making rounds of social media. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on X, "The day started in a horrifying way... I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment. The suspected perpetrator has been caught." Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, shocked by the shooting, wrote on X, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff." More to follow...

One killed, two injured in Finland school shooting near capital; 12-year-old suspect detained

An Israeli strike killed several people delivering food aid to the besieged Gaza Strip on Monday. The foreign nationals -- reported to be from Poland, Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Israel War: Israel agrees to consider US' Rafah concerns

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto in Beijing. The leaders agreed to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and further enhance ties. Watch in for more details!

Xi Jinping meets with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto in Beijing

Israel War: Israeli strike on Gaza kills several foreign aid workers

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold an emergency meeting following a deadly Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Watch in for more details!

UNSC meet on suspected Israeli strikes on April 2: Russian mission

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also called Sepah or Pasdaran, is a multi-service primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. Watch to know more.

Iran consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus under attack

Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus under attack

Russia lost up to 20 armoured vehicles in a single failed attack in Ukraine’s western Donetsk region, Ukrainian troops have claimed. Ukraine forces also said to have fended off 36 tanks and 12 BPM infantry fighting vehicles in western Donetsk. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: 'Russia loses 20 armoured vehicles', says Ukraine

Israeli forces left Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday after a two-week operation by special forces who detained hundreds of suspected Palestinian militants and left a wasteland of destroyed buildings.

Israel war: Israeli troops exit Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital

Israel war: A look at the two-week Israeli operation at Al Shifa Hospital

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on Congress party over former prime minister Indira Gandhi's decision to "callously give away" the island of Katchatheevu has revived the discourse over the way the 285-acre uninhabited island's ownership changed hands.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-modi-says-congress-callously-gave-away-katchatheevu-island-to-sri-lanka-706145">PM Modi says 'Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu' island to Sri Lanka</a></strong></p>

<p>The development came after Tamil Nadu chief of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, K Annamalai, filed a&nbsp;Right To Information application and obtained crucial information related to how the 285-acre island came to be administered by Sri Lanka.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Katchatheevu issue heats up as India goes to polls. RTI shows its given to Sri Lanka by Frm Indian PM Indira Gandhi. PM Modi reacts. <a href="https://t.co/9CRUghTWbS">https://t.co/9CRUghTWbS</a> <a href="https://t.co/GmCxHjk4lq">pic.twitter.com/GmCxHjk4lq</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1774294837401178611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi later reacted on a report related to the row, and it immediately turned into a political issue in the ongoing election summer.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Eye opening and startling!<br />
<br />
New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Katchatheevu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Katchatheevu</a>.<br />
<br />
This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds- we can’t ever trust Congress!<br />
<br />
Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for…</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1774289695821938823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Katchatheevu island: Where is it located?</strong></h2>

<p>Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point, according to the <em>Indian Express</em>.</p>

<p>Katchatheevu is about 33 km from the Indian coast and is some 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from Sri Lanka's inhabited Delft Island.</p>

<p>The island is relatively new on the geological timescale. It appeared on Earth as one of the results of a 14-century volcanic eruption.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Who controlled Katchatheevu?</strong></h2>

<p>The island was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka in the early medieval period. In the 17th century, Ramnad zamindari based out of Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram came to control the island.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The island became part of the Madras Presidency during British Raj.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MEA's Summary note for meeting of the Informal Consultative Committee in March 1968 on Kachchatheevu quoting Nehru, JS J&amp;T in MEA, Attorney General: <a href="https://t.co/dSt4iZej5R">https://t.co/dSt4iZej5R</a> <a href="https://t.co/eOPr6tW6qt">pic.twitter.com/eOPr6tW6qt</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1774743766425063848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>But its control remained a matter of contention due to fishing rights that came with the ownership of this island.</p>

<p>A colonial survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka. But the British challenged this citing the ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom.</p>

<p>This dispute was not settled until 1974.</p>

<p>In 1974, India and Sri Lanka signed the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’.</p>

<p>An annual report of Ministry of External Affairs for 1974-75 says: "The long outstanding problem of Kachchativu was amicably settled on 28 June 1974, with the conclusion of the agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the boundary in the historic waters between the two countries and related matters. The Agreement sets out the geographical co-ordinates of the points constituting the boundary in the historic waters between the two countries and sets at rest a longstanding controversy with the neighbouring country regarding the island of Kachchativu."</p>

<p>"Although the island of Kachchativu falls on the side of the boundary of Sri Lanka and will belong to Sri Lanka, the Agreement safeguards the rights of Indian pilgrims and fishermen who would be entitled to visit the island in the same manner as they were doing before this Agreement came into force. No travel documents or visas will be required by them to visit this island. The Agreement also provides that the vessels of both countries will enjoy in each other's waters such rights as they have traditionally enjoyed therein."</p>

<p>The pilgrims herein refer to the Indian Catholics who annual visit an early 20th century Catholic shrine, the only inhabited structure on the island, the St Anthony church. In 2023, 2500 Indians made the journey to Katchatheevu from Rameswaram for an annual service at the Church.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another agreement was signed in 1976, during the period of Emergency in the country. This agreement barred either country from fishing in each other's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Katchatheevu is located at the edge of the EEZs of either country. This continues to keep the nature of waters around it uncertain in relation to the fishing rights.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Fishing rights of Indian fishermen and Katchatheevu</strong></h2>

<p>It is in relation to the fishing rights of Indian fishermen that Katchatheevu features repeatedly in Tamil Nadu politics with regular correspondence between state government in Chennai and central government in New Delhi.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said, "In the last 20 years, 6,184 Indian fishermen have been detained by Sri Lanka and 1,175 Indian fishing vessels have been seized, detained, or apprehended by Sri Lanka. This is the background of the issue."</p>

<p>Jaishankar called it a "live issue" and not something that surfaced "suddenly".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The then CM of Tamil Nadu has written to me numerous times. And my record shows that to the current CM, I have replied 21 times on this issue. This is not an issue that has suddenly surfaced. This is a live issue."</p>

<p>"It is an issue that has been very much debated in parliament and in Tamil Nadu circles. It has been the subject of correspondence between the union government and the state government."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM Jaishankar <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> holds a presser on Katchatheevu issue. In a rare presser from BJP HQ, EAM Jaishankar explained the issue with Indian Govts pacts of 1974, 1976 &amp; origin of Indian govt claim on Island that is now Sri Lankan territory. Development ahead of India polls <a href="https://t.co/bZBCzuOZNU">pic.twitter.com/bZBCzuOZNU</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1774708125150613723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The row has become very much political, with Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party chief MK Stalin saying it's the BJP's 'diversionary' tactic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader P Chidambaram questioned why Prime Minister Modi is raising an issue which was settled in 1974.</p>

<p>"Why is the PM raking up an issue that was settled in 1974? In 1974, the Indira Gandhi government, in order to help lakhs of Tamils, negotiated with Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu island was acknowledged as belonging to Sri Lanka. In return, 6 lakhs Tamils were allowed to come to India. The issue was closed 50 years ago," P Chidambaram claimed.</p>

<p>Referring to India's standoff in 2020 in Ladakh, he claimed Chinese troops are occupying Indian territory.</p>

<p>"2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by Chinese troops. The PM says no Chinese troops are present in Indian territory and no part of Indian territory is in occupation of Chinese troops. You gave a clean chit to China. He should talk about what has happened in the last 3 years instead of what happened 50 years ago. Chinese occupation is aggression. I would request the PM to speak about that," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on Congress party over former prime minister Indira Gandhi's decision to "callously give away" the island of Katchatheevu has revived the discourse over the way the 285-acre uninhabited island's ownership changed hands.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on Congress party over former prime minister Indira Gandhi's decision to "callously give away" the island of Katchatheevu has revived the discourse over the way the 285-acre uninhabited island's ownership changed hands. Also read | PM Modi says 'Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu' island to Sri Lanka The development came after Tamil Nadu chief of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, K Annamalai, filed a Right To Information application and obtained crucial information related to how the 285-acre island came to be administered by Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu issue heats up as India goes to polls. RTI shows its given to Sri Lanka by Frm Indian PM Indira Gandhi. PM Modi reacts. https://t.co/9CRUghTWbS pic.twitter.com/GmCxHjk4lq — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 31, 2024 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi later reacted on a report related to the row, and it immediately turned into a political issue in the ongoing election summer. 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… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2024 × Katchatheevu island: Where is it located? Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. It is no more than 1.6 km in length and slightly over 300 m wide at its broadest point, according to the Indian Express. Katchatheevu is about 33 km from the Indian coast and is some 62 km southwest of Jaffna, at the northern tip of Sri Lanka, and 24 km away from Sri Lanka's inhabited Delft Island. The island is relatively new on the geological timescale. It appeared on Earth as one of the results of a 14-century volcanic eruption. Who controlled Katchatheevu? The island was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka in the early medieval period. In the 17th century, Ramnad zamindari based out of Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram came to control the island. The island became part of the Madras Presidency during British Raj. MEA's Summary note for meeting of the Informal Consultative Committee in March 1968 on Kachchatheevu quoting Nehru, JS J&T in MEA, Attorney General: https://t.co/dSt4iZej5R pic.twitter.com/eOPr6tW6qt — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 1, 2024 × But its control remained a matter of contention due to fishing rights that came with the ownership of this island. A colonial survey marked Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka. But the British challenged this citing the ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom. This dispute was not settled until 1974. In 1974, India and Sri Lanka signed the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’. An annual report of Ministry of External Affairs for 1974-75 says: "The long outstanding problem of Kachchativu was amicably settled on 28 June 1974, with the conclusion of the agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the boundary in the historic waters between the two countries and related matters. The Agreement sets out the geographical co-ordinates of the points constituting the boundary in the historic waters between the two countries and sets at rest a longstanding controversy with the neighbouring country regarding the island of Kachchativu." "Although the island of Kachchativu falls on the side of the boundary of Sri Lanka and will belong to Sri Lanka, the Agreement safeguards the rights of Indian pilgrims and fishermen who would be entitled to visit the island in the same manner as they were doing before this Agreement came into force. No travel documents or visas will be required by them to visit this island. The Agreement also provides that the vessels of both countries will enjoy in each other's waters such rights as they have traditionally enjoyed therein." The pilgrims herein refer to the Indian Catholics who annual visit an early 20th century Catholic shrine, the only inhabited structure on the island, the St Anthony church. In 2023, 2500 Indians made the journey to Katchatheevu from Rameswaram for an annual service at the Church. Another agreement was signed in 1976, during the period of Emergency in the country. This agreement barred either country from fishing in each other's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Katchatheevu is located at the edge of the EEZs of either country. This continues to keep the nature of waters around it uncertain in relation to the fishing rights. Fishing rights of Indian fishermen and Katchatheevu It is in relation to the fishing rights of Indian fishermen that Katchatheevu features repeatedly in Tamil Nadu politics with regular correspondence between state government in Chennai and central government in New Delhi. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said, "In the last 20 years, 6,184 Indian fishermen have been detained by Sri Lanka and 1,175 Indian fishing vessels have been seized, detained, or apprehended by Sri Lanka. This is the background of the issue." Jaishankar called it a "live issue" and not something that surfaced "suddenly". "The then CM of Tamil Nadu has written to me numerous times. And my record shows that to the current CM, I have replied 21 times on this issue. This is not an issue that has suddenly surfaced. This is a live issue." "It is an issue that has been very much debated in parliament and in Tamil Nadu circles. It has been the subject of correspondence between the union government and the state government." EAM Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar holds a presser on Katchatheevu issue. In a rare presser from BJP HQ, EAM Jaishankar explained the issue with Indian Govts pacts of 1974, 1976 & origin of Indian govt claim on Island that is now Sri Lankan territory. Development ahead of India polls pic.twitter.com/bZBCzuOZNU — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 1, 2024 × The row has become very much political, with Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party chief MK Stalin saying it's the BJP's 'diversionary' tactic. Congress leader P Chidambaram questioned why Prime Minister Modi is raising an issue which was settled in 1974. "Why is the PM raking up an issue that was settled in 1974? In 1974, the Indira Gandhi government, in order to help lakhs of Tamils, negotiated with Sri Lanka. Katchatheevu island was acknowledged as belonging to Sri Lanka. In return, 6 lakhs Tamils were allowed to come to India. The issue was closed 50 years ago," P Chidambaram claimed. Referring to India's standoff in 2020 in Ladakh, he claimed Chinese troops are occupying Indian territory. "2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by Chinese troops. The PM says no Chinese troops are present in Indian territory and no part of Indian territory is in occupation of Chinese troops. You gave a clean chit to China. He should talk about what has happened in the last 3 years instead of what happened 50 years ago. Chinese occupation is aggression. I would request the PM to speak about that," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: How the row over Katchatheevu island between India and Sri Lanka was diffused and revived

Russia said on Tuesday it had important matters to discuss with Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and was working to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations. Watch in for more details!

Russia says it is working to remove Taliban from terror organisation list

Former US president Donald Trump posted a $175 million bond in his New York civil fraud case Monday, a court document showed, avoiding asset seizures while his case winds through the appeals process.

US: Donald Trump posts $175 million bond in civil fraud case, averts asset seizures

The anti-Kremlin activists stole the prison records and hacked into the marketplace by accessing a computer linked to the Russian prison system, according to the report. Watch in for more details!

Anti-Kremlin activists stole Russian prisoners' database

UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed author JK Rowling in her criticism of new Scottish hate crime laws. Watch in for more details!

UK PM Rishi Sunak backs JK Rowling as row over Scotland's new hate crime law escalates

UNSC to meet over Israel's attack on Iranian consulate in Syria

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: Russia calls UNSC session over Damascus consulate strike. Gang violence in Haiti escalates. US deports 368 migrants to Guatemala. Antony Blinken departs for Europe to meet French President & NATO Chief. Watch in for more details!

Iran Consulate Attack: Russia calls UNSC session over Damascus consulate strike

world

World, News on World, stories on World, articles on World, World stories at Wion, World news, World latest news

world news