On Friday, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to make necessary diplomatic steps to secure the release of Tamil fishermen and their boats and attack on them by the Sri Lankan authorities. However, this appeal comes after 88 fishermen and 12 boats were arrested in the last 27 days.
About the issue
The issue centres around fishing rights in the Palk Strait, a narrow body of water separating India and Sri Lanka. This maritime boundary was agreed in 1974, but the access to Kachchatheevu island became contentious, to stop fishing in each other’s water, but implementation faltered.
Moreover, the Indian fishermen poaching in their waters using destructive practices like trawling impacting the environment and livelihood. This is due to the fishermen’s lack of alternative options due to depleted Indian waters and reliance on traditional fishing near Kachchatheevu, which results in the arrest and detention of fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and increases concern for the Indian government.
Stalin’s request to PM Modi
Chief Minister MK Stalin urged PM Modi, to make necessary ‘diplomatic’ efforts to ensure the immediate release of the 77 Tamil fishermen and their 151 boats currently apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities. In the letter, he highlighted the recurring nature of this problem and its impact on the livelihood and well-being of fishermen’s families and human rights violations.
Furthermore, Stalin proposed reviving the Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries, a mechanism established by India and Sri Lanka to address fishing-related issues and suggested that the JWG could offer dialogue exchange, find sustainable solutions to the boundary dispute and prevent future apprehension. Besides, he also mentioned that Indian fishermen are facing similar issues in other countries like Pakistan and Kuwait, which need broader measures to protect the rights and livelihoods of fishermen communities.
Challenges and Uncertainties
The success of Stalin’s request hinges on Sri Lanka’s willingness to engage in a diplomatic agreement to release the fishermen and reviving the JWG might not guarantee immediate solutions but could address complex maritime issues and require sustained commitment from both parties.
However, the fishermen issue might intertwine with the broader political tension and domestic pressures on both governments from their respective fishing communities, making concessions challenging with balancing diplomatic efforts and the crucial domestic demands.
Possible Outcome
The diplomatic efforts by India could lead to the release of the apprehended fishermen and boats, providing immediate relief to the families affected, along with the revival of JWG which will provide improved communications and long-term solutions. Otherwise, it might happen that the Sri Lankans will be unresponsive which will escalate tension. Overall, there’s hope for positive outcomes and addressing the root cause remains crucial for long-term solutions.
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