An interesting incident took place during PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka. In fact, when the joint press conference was being held between Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Disanayake, the Prime Minister of India demanded in front of the President of Sri Lanka that Indian fishermen should be released immediately. It is now reported that Sri Lanka took a special step and released 14 Indian fishermen. In his media statement after a conversation with the President of Sri Lanka, PM Modi said that we also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agreed that we should adopt a human view in this matter. He said that we also emphasized the immediate release of fishermen and their boats. It is noteworthy that earlier also the alleged cases of using force against Indian fishermen in Pakistani Strait by Sri Lankan Navy personnel have been reported. The Pakistani Strait is a narrow water band separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka.
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What did the Foreign Secretary say on the issue of fishermen
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in media briefing on Saturday that the issue of fishermen was overshadowed in Prime Minister Modi-Disanayak talks. He said that as the Prime Minister said in his speech, the need to adopt human and creative approach to cooperation on these issues was emphasized, as these are issues that eventually affect the livelihood of fishermen on both sides of the Pak Gulf. Misri said that the Prime Minister emphasized that it is finally a daily issue for fishermen and some steps taken in recent times can be reconsidered.
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India, Sri Lanka will intensify institutional discussion on fishermen’s issue
Misri also underlined that New Delhi and Colombo agreed to intensify institutional discussion on the issue. In his statement after Prime Minister Modi’s talks with Disanayake, the Foreign Secretary said that India and Sri Lanka are in touch with each other on the possibility of organizing the next round of Sangh talks.