Indo–Lanka fishermen to hold talks

This was decided at the fourth round of the Indo–Sri Lankan Fishermen’s talks in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by the External Affairs Ministry joint secretary Renu Pall in the absence of department minister Sushma Swaraj. Sources said arrangements were made for the release of five fishermen from Pudukottai who were arrested in early October and the four from Rameswaram, who were arrested a couple of days ago would be released after the November 5 talks between ministers of both nations. The talks were attended by 12 fishermen from TN and 10 from Sri Lanka accompanied by five officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 

Talks committee member N Devadoss said the Indian side accepted that they would only fish near Katchatheeevu for 83 days annually and that they would fish beyond five nautical mile limit from the island nation. The Indian side also accepted to give up bottom trawling, which has been the bone of contention between both sides and the reason for talks failing on earlier occasions. Devadoss also said that the Indian fishermen accepted the alternative of deep sea fishing, the nuances of which would be worked out by the Tamil Nadu government and would be explained to members of various fishermen’s associations soon.