Nehru Willing to Cede Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, Karunanidhi Privately Supportive But Bound by Politics
• Nehru said he attached no importance to Katchatheevu island and would give it up to Sri Lanka without hesitation
• Karunanidhi expressed general acceptance of handing over the island to Sri Lanka but said he couldn't publicly support it due to politics
• Karunanidhi assured he would help keep reaction low-key and not let it become an issue between state and center
• Tamil Nadu government was kept informed throughout negotiations with Sri Lanka over the island
• In 1958, India's Attorney General said sovereignty of the island was with India, but this was ignored