NEW DELHI // Everywhere you look, it seems, there is a dispute over tiny islands.
Japan and China are wrangling over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. The Philippines, Taiwan and China are tussling over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Now add to the list the island of Katchatheevu, a 115-hectare speck of land with no permanent residents, lying off the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
India ceded the island to Sri Lanka in bilateral agreements signed in 1974 and 1976.
But in 2008, J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu's chief minister, filed a petition in India's supreme court arguing that since the agreements were never ratified by parliament, the island still belongs to Tamil Nadu.
The slow-moving case finally reached a turning point last month when the Indian government filed an affidavit stating the agreements were valid and there was no question of retrieving the island from Sri Lanka.
In parliament last week, V Maitreyan, a politician from Ms Jayalalithaa's party, described the government's attempt to draw a line under the dispute as "the greatest betrayal to Tamil Nadu".
Other political groups, including the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have urged the government to recall its affidavit and reconsider the maritime agreements.
Katchatheevu, which lies about halfway between Rameshwaram – a spit of land in south-east Tamil Nadu – and the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka, has become increasingly important to Tamil Nadu's fishermen.
As waters closer to the Indian coast have become depleted of fish, fisherman have moved closer to the island.
Since 2009 this has led to an increase in the number of Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka's navy, raising tensions between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
In late August, 35 Indian fishermen were arrested and taken to Sri Lanka to be prosecuted. Another 21 were arrested in June.
A total of 146 Indian fishermen are in various prisons across Sri Lanka, statistics compiled by the Indian government show.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan president, has been scathing about these intrusions into his country's waters.
Referring to the civil war in the north and east of Sri Lanka, which ended in May 2009, Mr Rajapaksa said in July: "Our people … could not go fishing for a long time due to the conflict.
"Now when they try to resume their livelihood they have to face this new problem."
Peer Mohamed, a political analyst in Chennai, said opposition parties were using the island issue to generate support ahead of national elections next year.
"They're trying to appeal to the large constituency of Tamil Nadu fishermen in this way," he said.
Mr Mohamed pointed out that, according to the 1974 pact, Tamil Nadu's fishermen are allowed to dry their nets on Katchatheevu but not fish around the island.
P Rajan, a member of the Alliance for the Release of Innocent Fishermen, a Tamil Nadu NGO that campaigns for the freedom of fishermen in Sri Lankan jails, said the Katchatheevu issue was "an important demand for Tamil Nadu's fishermen".
"The fishermen from this state have been working around Katchatheevu for centuries," he said.
The distance to the island, only 20 kilometres, is so small, Mr Rajan said, "that it is at least necessary to implement some sort of open-waters concept in this area".
V Suryanarayan, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Asia Studies, also in Chennai, said Tamil Nadu's fishermen were guilty of "regular poaching", trawling so excessively in Sri Lankan waters that they "rob Sri Lankan fishermen of their livelihood".
He said it was true the 1974 agreement, signed by then-Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, ignored parliamentary ratification and the traditional ownership claims of Tamil Nadu over the island.
But however misguided it was at the time, Mr Suryanarayan said, as an international agreement "it still has sanctity and cannot be rolled back as per the whims of politicians".
ssubramanian@thenational.ae
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company%20profile
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Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia