India, Sri Lanka begin talks on release of detained fishermen

Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here on Wednesday after the two governments agreed to initiate the process for the release of detained Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen in their respective countries.

India and Sri Lanka are often embroiled in such situations where both parties claim to have arrested fishermen for wandering away and crossing international water boundaries.

The issue was discussed today. The process of release and repatriation of Indian fishermen is under progress and is being undertaken as a continuing initiative.

In a press release, Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry reiterated that the two countries have agreed to the release of fishermen on a reciprocal basis after their External Affairs Ministers held a conversation over telephone.

The visiting Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister will meet Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in the evening and is expected to exchange views on strengthening cooperation in the fisheries sector.

The meeting with Pawar is expected to include long-term measures to prevent unlawful fishing in international waters and also finalising the ban on use of illegal fishing methods.

The Sri Lankan delegation headed by Senaratne arrived in India yesterday to participate in high level talks.

Colombo had released a group of fishermen languishing in their prison ahead of the crucial meeting in New Delhi as a goodwill gesture.

With protest growing strong in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu against the arrest of fishermen, New Delhi too has been pressurised by regional leaders to find a diplomatic solution resulting in talks being finalised.

Earlier, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had told mediapersons that they want fishermen union representatives of both countries to meet and resolve the issue.

But the delay in holding the meeting was attributed to the reluctance of Tamil Nadu government to cooperate.

Fishermen in Tamil Nadu have been constantly fighting to demand safety from the government.

Reportedly, Sri Lankan Navy detained 22 Tamil fishermen on December 29.

As per the claims made by fishermen's association, Sri Lankan Navy had detained 210 fishermen along with 72 mechanised boats.