External affairs minister S.M. Krishna said he would go to Sri Lanka in October to take up the issue of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.
DMK MP T.R. Baalu raised the issue during a calling attention motion in the Lok Sabha regarding the killing of Indian fishermen and continuous attacks on them by the Sri Lankan Navy.
“I would like to reiterate that the welfare, safety and security of our fishermen have always received the highest priority by the government,” said the external affairs minister.
He said that the government of India and the high commission of India in Sri Lanka have consistently taken up issues relating to incidents of firing on or apprehension of Indian fishermen with the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the Sri Lankan Navy act with restraint and Indian fishermen are treated in a humane manner.
The minister said that to avoid recurrence of incidents involving Indian fishermen, and keeping in mind the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of the issue India and Sri Lanka reached an Understanding on Fishing Arrangements in 2008 under which both had agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line from either country.
As part of these practical arrangements, it was agreed that there will be no firing on Indian fishing vessels and that Indian fishing vessels will not enter into sensitive areas designated by Government of Sri Lanka along its coastline, said Mr Krishna.
The minister said that after the October 2008 Understanding, incidents of apprehension and firing on Indian fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka have come down significantly.
The minister said that the government was aware of more than normal interest being shown by the Chinese in the Indian Ocean and was keeping a close watch on the situation.