Lok Sabha Question No. 647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-04
Subject: Custody of Indian Fishermen
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi, T. R. Paarivendhar, Manickam Tagore B, Andimuthu Raja, Karti P. Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.647

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2022

## CUSTODY OF INDIAN FISHERMEN

647. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

SHRI A. RAJA:

SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been an increase in incidents of attacks on Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy and seizure of Indian fishing vessels in the recent past and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any data about the number of Indian fishermen who were kept in Sri Lankan jails and if so, the details thereof indicating the number of fishermen arrested/released during the last three years;
- (c) the details of reasons for their captivity;
- (d) whether the Government has called any meeting of Joint Working Group on Fisheries to discuss the issues and find out permanent solution to this problem and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure release of remaining Indian fishermen who are in the custody of Sri Lanka?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (c) There   have   been   recent   incidents   of   attacks   on   T amil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. Indian fishermen are arrested from time to   time   by   the   Sri   Lankan   authorities   for   allegedly   crossing   the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.  As per the available information, 74 and 159 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2020 and 2021 respectively. With sustained diplomatic efforts, the GoI has secured the release of all these Indian fishermen. At present, 21 Indian fishermen, arrested along with 2 boats on 31 January 2022 are in Sri Lankan custody. They have been provided   consular   and   legal   assistance   by   our   High   Commission   in Colombo and Consulate in Jaffna. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of these fishermen.

(d) & (e) Issues relating to Indian fishermen have been raised  at the highest levels, including by our Prime Minister with the Sri Lankan Prime

Minister during the Virtual Bilateral Summit held in September 2020. In 2021,   during   his   visit   to   Colombo   from   5-7   January,   External   Affairs Minister   (EAM)   had   met   the   Minister   of   Fisheries   of   Sri   Lanka   and discussed all issues related to Indian fishermen. The issue was also taken up  in   Foreign   Secretary's   discussions   with   the   Sri   Lankan   dignitaries during his visit to Sri Lanka from 2-5 October 2021. The need to deal with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humanitarian manner was reiterated to the   Government   of   Sri   Lanka.   It   was   also   stressed   that   existing understandings between the two Governments in that regard must be strictly observed and both sides should ensure that there was no use of force   under   any   circumstances.   Recently,   on   15   January   2022,   EAM discussed the issue of early release of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody, during his virtual meeting with Finance Minister of Sri Lanka. As a result, 56 Indian fishermen were released by Government of Sri Lanka on 25 January 2022.

Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. Following the 2+2 initiative in November 2016, when the Foreign and Fisheries Ministers of the two countries   met   in   New   Delhi,   a   bilateral   Joint   Working   Group   (JWG) mechanism and meeting of the Ministers for Fisheries of the two countries was institutionalized to address the fishermen issues with Sri Lanka. On December 30, 2020, 4th Round of JWG was organized between the two governments where the entire gamut of issues related to fishermen was discussed.  Both sides are in consultation for the early convening of the 5 th Round of JWG on Fisheries.

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