Lok Sabha Question No. 814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-20
Subject: Talks on Fishermen Issue
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2017

## TALKS ON FISHERMEN ISSUE

## † 814. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

## Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has held any high level meeting with Sri Lanka and Pakistan to resolve the issue of regular arrest of fishermen due to violation of maritime border;
- (b) if so, the details of the meetings held during 2017 and the outcome thereof;
- (c) the   number   of   fishermen   and   boats   captured   and languishing in the jails of Pakistan at present; and
- (d) the details of policy decision made in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) Government regularly takes up with the Governments of   Sri   Lanka   and   Pakistan   the   matter   of   early   release   and repatriation of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats. Our High Commissions in Colombo and Islamabad provide humanitarian and legal assistance to the apprehended fishermen.

With Sri Lanka, the fishermen issues have been raised at the highest level, including by the Prime Minister with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during the latter's visit to India in November 2017. External Affairs Minister (EAM) had also raised the matter with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister during her visit to Colombo earlier this year. This also figured in EAM's discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka during the latter's visit to New Delhi in September 2017. It was reiterated that Sri Lankan Government may consider the fishermen issue as a purely humanitarian and livelihood concern and both sides should ensure that there was no use of force under any circumstances.

Following the 2+2 initiative in November 2016 when the

Foreign and Fisheries Ministers of India and Sri Lanka met in New Delhi,   a   bilateral   Joint   Working   Group   (JWG)   mechanism   was institutionalized   to   address   the   fishermen   issues.   It   was   also agreed that Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries meet every six months to review the progress. So far three rounds of the JWG meeting have been held. The 3rd meeting of the JWG and the 2nd Ministerial meeting held on 13 October and 14 October 2017 respectively in New Delhi took stock of the measures taken by   both   sides   to   address   the   fishermen   issues   pending   a

permanent solution. As on 17 December 2017, 347 Indian fishermen have been released by Sri Lankan authorities. Government continues to take all necessary efforts to secure the release of the remaining Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan custody. The state of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan impinges on the release and repatriation of Indian fishermen. Even in the absence of a structured bilateral dialogue, both sides have released fishermen. In 2017, we have successfully secured the release and repatriation of 363 Indian fishermen, including 245 Indian fishermen who have been repatriated in the last 6 months. (c) & (d) As   per   the   available   information,   there   are   494 believed to be Indian fishermen and around 1000 fishing boats in Pakistan's custody as on 15 December 2017.

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