The diplomatic relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the two neighbouring countries with several shared cultural ethos and beliefs and economic, social, cultural and business ties is now becoming tense after India complained about its fishermen being attacked by Sri Lankan Security Forces.
The recent concern is the arrest and subsequent judicial remand of 68 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.
The Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai, Mandapam and Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. However, the Indian fishermen association office-bearers have denied the allegation and said that they had fished in Indian waters in the Palk Straits.
The arrest of fishermen in three batches of 6, 7 and 55 was made in the second week of December 2021 by the Sri Lankan Navy alleging that they had transgressed into Sri Lankan waters. The arrested fishermen were remanded to judicial custody. Calls from the Tamil Nadu political leadership for the Indian Government to intervene in the matter diplomatically were accepted and the Indian External Affairs Ministry entered into diplomatic parleys with the Sri Lankan side.
Marine biologist and an expert in fishing and deep-sea fishing issues, Dr Manonmani. G who heads the Marine Study Research Group based at Kanniyakumari, told IANS that "First and foremost India must use strong diplomatic measures and demand in no uncertain terms the release of our fishermen immediately. Secondly, Indian fishermen must not use the trawlers that are banned in Sri Lankan waters and implement the Blue Resolution leading to modern deep-sea fishing that does not affect the marine wealth of Sri Lankan waters."
(Deccan Herald)
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