In a reassuring move, Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured the Tamil Nadu fishermen of the Centre’s commitment to securing the early release of Indian fishermen currently held in Sri Lankan prisons. The assurance came during a meeting held in New Delhi on Monday, where representatives of the Tamil Nadu fishing community, accompanied by State BJP President K. Annamalai, raised pressing concerns with the Minister.
Jaishankar addrehe growing tensions along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), where recent altercations between Lankan vessels and Indian fishermen have stirred anxiety within the fishing communities. He confirmed that these incidents will be a focal point of discussion at the upcoming Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, which includes officials from both India’s External Affairs Ministry and Fisheries Department, as well as their Sri Lankan counterparts.
During the discussions, representatives from the mechanised fishing boats association requested the facilitation of a joint meeting between the fishing communities of India and Sri Lanka. Jaishankar responded positively, indicating that the Centre would consider organizing such a dialogue to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the two sides.
Additionally, the delegation led by K. Annamalai proposed the inclusion of fishermen under an insurance scheme, ensuring compensation for their families in the event of loss of life due to health ailments or accidents. Jaishankar assured the representatives that the proposal would be taken into consideration.
Expressing his gratitude, K. Annamalai stated, “We thank EAM Jaishankar and the officials for being empathetic to the concerns raised by our brothers from the fishing community and for assuring us of all the necessary support and action for a better way forward.”
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Fisheries provided further assurances to the Tamil Nadu fishermen representatives. The Ministry pledged to review the request for an increase in the diesel subsidy provided to fishermen, a critical factor given the rising fuel costs. Additionally, the Ministry agreed to reconsider the 25-year-old ban on the harvesting of sea cucumbers, a significant request from the fishing community that could potentially boost their livelihoods.
The meeting, which was also attended by EAM Secretary Vikram Mishri and other key officials, marked a crucial step towards addressing the long-standing issues faced by Tamil Nadu’s fishing community and strengthening the Centre’s commitment to safeguarding their interests.