In a reply to BJP State president K. Annamalai’s letter on the fishermen issue, Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the Centre was taking every possible effort to safeguard Indian fishermen.
In the letter, he said the safety and welfare of Indian fishermen were of the utmost priority to the Centre. The matter of early release and repatriation of the fishermen was constantly being raised with the Sri Lankan government at all levels.
He also pointed out that India has urged Sri Lanka to convene the next round of fishermen level talks on the lines of the 6th Joint Working Group meeting on fisheries held October last year. He said that since 2024, a total of 535 Indian fishermen arrested by foreign nations were released and repatriated.
Earlier, Mr. Annamalai had written to the External Affairs Minister urging his intervention in early repatriation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested mid-sea by the Sri Lankan Navy. Posting a reply letter from Mr. Jaishankar on X, Mr. Annamalai on Sunday thanked him for assuring the safety and well-being of fishermen.
Published – March 03, 2025 12:51 am IST
