- By Ajeet Kumar
- Sat, 05 Apr 2025 01:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, raised the issue of the plight of Indian fishermen caught in the decades-old maritime dispute between the two neighbours during a delegation-level talk with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the high-level talks, the Prime Minister emphasised resolving the issue with a human-centric approach and asked the Sri Lankan sides to release the Indian fishermen with their seized boats.
"We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should move forward with a humane approach. We also emphasised the immediate release of the fishermen and the return of their boats," said PM Modi.
हमने मछुआरों की आजीविका से जुड़े मुद्दों पर भी चर्चा की।
हम सहमत हैं, कि हमें इस मामले में एक मानवीय approach के साथ आगे बढ़ना चाहिए।
हमने मछुआरों को तुरंत रिहा किये जाने और उनकी Boats को वापस भेजने पर भी बल दिया: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 5, 2025
Indian fishermen issue
The issue of fishermen has been a persistent problem between the two countries, with Sri Lankan authorities arresting Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary line. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during the special briefing, said that the long-standing issue of fishermen is expected to feature in the talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. "I have no doubt that the Prime Minister will raise issues related to the welfare of our fishermen during his meeting with the Sri Lankan President," Misri said.
Jaishanakar explains Tamil Nadu fishermen issue
Meanwhile, addressing the queries regarding the plight of Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka during the question hour in Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker said that the current government inherited the situation due to events that can be traced back to 1974 and 1976.
Jaishankar detailed Sri Lanka's legal framework, stating, "Sri Lanka has two laws - the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act of 1996 and the Fisheries Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats of 1979. Both these acts were amended in 2018 and 2023, providing for much stiffer sentences, bigger fines, and greater detention."
He explained that many of those serving sentences are boat owners, skippers, or repeat offenders, complicating resolution efforts.
He stated that the "root cause" of the ongoing issue related to the detention of Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka began in 1974 when the international maritime boundary line was drawn, followed by an exchange of letters in 1976 with Sri Lanka delineating fishing jurisdiction.
"The house is aware that, in a way, our government has inherited the problem. This problem began in 1974 when the international maritime boundary line was drawn, followed by an exchange of letters in 1976 delineating fishing jurisdiction. These decisions are the root cause of the situation," EAM said while replying to the question raised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.