Lok Sabha Question No. 1150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: Summoning of Diplomat
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2021

## SUMMONING OF DIPLOMAT

## 1150.  SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recently summoned a senior diplomat and lodged   a   protest/asking   the   Pakistani   forces   to   desist   from unprovoked firing on innocent fisherman in Thane;
- (b) the details of diplomatic efforts made by the Government with the Government   of   Sri   Lanka   regarding   attacks   on   T amil   fisherman during the current year;
- (c) whether   the   Government   of   T amil   Nadu   has   also   sought   the intervention of the Union Government in this regard; and
- (d) if   so,   the   following   action   taken   up   by   the   Union   Government thereon?

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

(a) On 08 November 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi to lodge a strong protest regarding  an incident of unprovoked firing upon an Indian fishing boat 'Jalpari' by Pakistani agencies on 6 November 2021 which resulted in the death of one Indian fisherman and serious injury to another.

Government of Pakistan was called upon to conduct an inquiry into the   incident   and   to   instruct   its   forces   to   refrain   from   such   acts   of unprovoked firing. It was also reiterated that the issue of fishermen should be considered as a humanitarian and livelihood matter.

(b) The fishermen issues have been raised with the Government of Sri Lanka at the highest levels through diplomatic channels. This year, the External   Affairs   Minister   (EAM)   during   his   visit   to   Colombo   from   5-7 January 2021, met the Minister of Fisheries of Sri Lanka and discussed all issues   related   to   Indian   fishermen.   The   issue   also   figured   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 humane manner was reiterated to the Government of Sri Lanka. It was also stressed that existing understandings between the two

Governments in this regard must be strictly observed and both sides should ensure that there was no use of force under any circumstances. (c) & (d) The   Government   of   T amil   Nadu   has   written   to   the Government   of   India   highlighting   cases   of   alleged   attacks   on   Indian fishermen. Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security   and   welfare   of   Indian   fishermen.   As   soon   as   such   reports regarding   Indian   fishermen   are   received,   the   Government   through diplomatic   channels   takes   up   the   matter   with   the   Government   of   Sri Lanka.

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 30 December 2020, the 4th Round of JWG was organized between the two governments where the entire gamut of issues related to fishermen was discussed.

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