India and Sri Lanka to Form Joint Working Group to Address Tamil Fishermen’s Issues

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai announced the formation of a joint working group between India and Sri Lanka to discuss the seized boats of 170 Tamil fishermen. The initiative follows Prime Minister Modi's establishment of a Fisheries Ministry in 2019 and aims to resolve conflicts through diplomatic discussions.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai announced on Wednesday the formation of a joint working group between India and Sri Lanka to address the issue of 170 Tamil fishermen's boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy. This move follows the establishment of a Ministry for Fisheries in 2019 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Annamalai highlighted two major conflict zones concerning Indian fishermen: Gujarat, where Pakistani authorities frequently arrest fishermen, and Tamil Nadu, which faces challenges after the DMK government ceded Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. He noted that shootings by the Sri Lankan Navy ceased after Modi's tenure began, contrasting with previous years when such incidents were common.

In 2024, out of 273 Tamil fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, 204 have been repatriated, while others remain in various stages of detention. Annamalai emphasized that the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has assured a prompt meeting of a 2+2 joint working group involving both countries' External Affairs and Fisheries Ministries. This development comes after Tamil Nadu fishermen representatives met with Jaishankar in Delhi to voice their concerns.