Lok Sabha Question No. 2115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Maritime Boundary Management
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2115

ANSWERED ON - 01/08/2025

MARITIME BOUNDARY MANAGEMENT

2115. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B

SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether   the   Government   has   prepared   any   long-term   bilateral agreement   with   neighbouring   countries   to   prevent   the   arrest   or harassment   of   Indian   fishermen   near   maritime   boundaries,   if   so,   the details thereof;
- (b) the details of recent diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries;
- (c)   whether   the   Government   has   issued   any   diplomatic   protest   or demarche in recent months against territorial violations or aggressive actions near India's borders;
- (d)   the   strategy   of   the   Government   to   safeguard   India's   territorial sovereignty while promoting regional peace and stability;

(e) the number of Indian fishermen currently imprisoned in foreign jails, particularly in Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh and the efforts being made for their release;

(f)   whether the Government has proposed any joint Maritime Boundary Management Mechanisms with neighbouring countries   to   avoid   crossborder fishing conflicts, if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure that border or maritime disputes do not harm India's long-standing ties with friendly neighbouring nations?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) & (f) India and Myanmar have signed an MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation in September 2017, to address legal and policy issues related to illegal activities at sea. Similarly, India and Bangladesh have signed an MoU on Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy in June 2024, which includes cooperation in addressing the issue of inadvertent crossing of the International Maritime Boundary by fishermen and facilitating their early release. Bilateral   discussions   are   held   regularly   under   various   joint

mechanisms with respective authorities of Bangladesh and Myanmar to improve   cooperation   in   the   sector   of   maritime   and   land   boundary management.  With   regard   to   Sri   Lanka,   these   issues   are   dealt   with through the regular meetings of the India Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on fisheries, which includes representatives from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The last JWG meeting on fisheries was held on 29 October 2024. (b)   &   (g)   The   Government   of   India   has   taken   measures   to   advance effective border management and maintenance of peace and tranquillity at the border.  In relation to China, such measures have been discussed in several  meetings  since   the October   2024 disengagement,   including   the 23 rd meeting of Special Representatives in December 2024, 33 rd meeting and   34 th Meeting   of   the   Working   Mechanism   for   Consultation   and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in March 2025 and July 2025 respectively.   With   regard   to   Pakistan,   the   Government   has   been raising the issue of cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations, and any attempts of violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, through diplomatic channels.

(c) Government of India has expressed serious concerns over continuing instances of illegal crossing of the international border between India and Bangladesh by Bangladeshi nationals. In December 2024, the Government

of India had strongly condemned and protested against the social media post by an Adviser of the Interim Government portraying an erroneous map of  Bangladesh which was violative of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Further, Government of India raised an instance of inadvertent air   violation   by   a   Bangladesh   domestic   airlines   in   June   2025,   so   that appropriate steps are taken to prevent recurrence of such instances.

(d) The   Government   of   India   maintains   a   constant   watch   on   all developments having a bearing on India's national interest and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them. With a focus on self-reliance, from defence   production   to   technological   innovation,   India   has   been strengthening its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(e) Government  of   India   attaches   the   highest   priority   to   the   safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. The Government has been taking up all fishermen related issues, including the early release and repatriation of   Indian   fishermen   and   fishing   boats,   with   respective   governments through diplomatic channels, various official interactions and established bilateral mechanisms. In all our interactions, it has been conveyed that this   issue   may   be   considered   purely   on   humanitarian   and   livelihood grounds and that the use of force should be avoided in all circumstances.

Further, our Missions and Consulates in respective countries make regular visits to local jails and detention centers to ascertain the condition of  Indian fishermen and provide requisite support and legal assistance. Missions also provide necessary travel documents to facilitate repatriation of released fishermen to India.

The details of the fishermen imprisoned in foreign jails, particularly in Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh are as under:-

-  Sri Lanka - 56 Indian fishermen
-  Bangladesh - 34 Indian fishermen
-  Pakistan - According to the  lists exchanged on 1 July 2025, Pakistan acknowledged the custody of 193 Indian/believed-tobe-Indian fishermen. As per the 'India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access' signed on 21 May 2008, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country, lodged in the jails of the other, are exchanged on 1 January and 1 July of every year. *****