Indian Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lanka: A Persistent Bilateral Issue

Sri Lankan authorities continue to arrest Indian fishermen, a longstanding issue. State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya emphasizes the importance of resolving this problem, particularly for impoverished fishermen. Bilateral talks are crucial, and alternative livelihoods through tourism and connectivity are suggested. Historical context includes the Katchatheevu Island dispute.

The issue of Indian fishermen being detained by Sri Lankan authorities remains unresolved, with Sri Lanka's State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya describing it as a 'persistent problem' between the two nations.

Although Balasuriya refrained from discussing the matter with his counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he highlighted the plight of impoverished fishermen affected by these tensions. 'The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the people should understand the suffering of those in the north and east who endured three decades of war,' Balasuriya remarked to ANI, underscoring the issue's longstanding nature.

Balasuriya pointed out the problem's magnitude, noting that it's not just a few fishermen but thousands of Indian boats encroaching upon Sri Lankan waters. He called for bilateral discussions to reach an amicable resolution, proposing enhanced connectivity and tourism development as alternative livelihoods for the affected fishermen. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin recently urged EAM Jaishankar to secure the release of detained fishermen, to which Jaishankar affirmed ongoing efforts by Indian missions in Colombo and Jaffna.

Addressing the contentious Katchatheevu Island issue, Balasuriya noted that India hasn't raised the matter recently in bilateral talks. He provided a brief history, noting the island's significance during the British colonial period, its subsequent use for fishing, and its formal designation as Sri Lankan territory under the 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently criticized Congress for conceding the island during Indira Gandhi's tenure.

(With inputs from agencies.)