Lok Sabha Question No. 856 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Indian Fishermen detained in Foreign Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 856

## ANSWERED ON- 29/11/2024

## INDIAN FISHERMEN DETAINED IN FOREIGN JAILS

856. KM. SUDHA R

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

- (a) the number of Indian fishermen arrested by foreign Governments and detained in their jails and the number of fishing boats and trawlers in the custody of foreign Governments;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure release of the fishermen along with their fishing vessels, which are the source of livelihoods of the arrested fishermen;
- (c) whether the Government has copies of letters sent to these foreign nations;

(d) if  so, the details thereof, along with the action taken by the said countries in response to these letters;

(e) whether the Government plans to take up the vexed issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested frequently by the Sri Lankan security forces with the International Court of Justice as it involves maritime boundary dispute with Sri Lanka; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to d) Details of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats in foreign countries till 2024:

| Country      | Number of Fishermen in custody             | Number of Boats/Trawlers in custody   |
|--------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Sri Lanka    | 141 (45 under trial, 96 serving sentences) | 198                                   |
| Bangladesh   | 95                                         | 06                                    |
| Pakistan     | 211*                                       | 1172                                  |
| Bahrain      | 37                                         | Nil                                   |
| Saudi Arabia | 25                                         | Nil                                   |
| Qatar        | 04                                         | Nil                                   |

'Agreement on Consular Access' signed on 21 May 2008.

Government of India attaches highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of  Indian fishermen. The fishermen issue is dealt with in a

bilateral manner and the Government has been taking up the fishermen 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.  The matter of  early release and repatriation of  Indian fishermen is consistently raised with respective countries at all levels and   it   is   conveyed   that   this   issue   may   be   considered   purely   on humanitarian   and   livelihood   grounds. Further,   our   Missions   and Consulates in respective countries make regular visits to local jails and detention centres to ascertain the condition of  Indian fishermen and provide   requisite   help   and   support,   including   legal   assistance.   Our Missions   also   provide necessary   travel   documents   to   facilitate repatriation of released fishermen to India.

With   respect   to   Sri   Lanka,   during   his   visit   in October   2024,   EAM discussed   the   issues   related   to   fishermen   with   the   new   political leadership. The issue is also dealt with through bilateral institutional mechanisms such as the regular meetings of the bilateral 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. With sustained diplomatic efforts, the Government has secured the release and repatriation of 363 fishermen during the current

year,   with   an   additional   12   fishermen   released   and   currently   in   the process of being repatriated. The matter regarding release of fishermen from Bangladesh is presently sub-judice. As per the India-Pakistan 'Agreement on Consular Access' signed on 21 May 2008, 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. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the number of Indian Fishing Boats in their custody. (e   to   f)   The   issues   faced   by   fishermen   are   bilateral   in   nature   and accordingly, discussions are held bilaterally between India and Sri Lanka at various levels. Further, there are institutionalized mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group on Fisheries between India and Sri Lanka, involving various stakeholders from both sides, which meet periodically to discuss the entire gamut of issues related to fishermen from both countries.

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