India, Sri lanka must resolve fishermen issue
Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s order for the release of 54 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who had been held after they entered the lankan waters on March 21, will go a long way in contributing to the ongoing task of re-building robust relations between New Delhi and Colombo. The significance of the event is more so because it has come in the wake of the disturbing remark that Sri lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently made, saying that Indian fishermen who come into his country’s waters would be shot dead. It is possible that Mr Wickremesinghe had been simply presenting the legal position, and indeed he had gone on to clarify his statement to that effect subsequently.
But it had caused concern, especially more so since it had coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Sri lanka. That the Sri lankan Prime Minister’s off-the-cuff remark need not be taken as the cornerstone of Colombo’s policy on the Indian fishermen issue, should also be evident by the fact that his Government had earlier this month released 84 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture to mark Mr Modi’s historic trip. The fresh round of release demonstrates the growing trust between the two countries and their resolve to tackle contentious issues with level-headedness. This does not mean, however, that Indian fishermen should continue to cross over (deliberately or otherwise) into lankan waters. A permanent, long-term mechanism must be developed between the two countries to avoid these unpleasant and potentially explosive incidents. Certain ideas are already being debated, such as the promotion of deep-sea fishing on the Indian side.
In many cases, Indian fishermen take the risk of venturing into lankan territory because they simply cannot survive on the produce they get from the shallow waters in India. Deep-sea fishing is an expensive proposition and small fishermen from Tamil Nadu just cannot afford the cost. According to some estimates, the initial investment on a boat suitable for deep-sea fishing is close to Rs70 lakh. Then there are costs of the special fishing nets and the risks involved in deep-sea ventures. New Delhi has to formulate steps that will make it easier for smaller fishermen to adopt deep-sea fishing. A policy that helps these fishermen economically will also go a long way in tackling the constant threat of being arrested by Sri lankan authorities and their boats being confiscated. Clearly, therefore, the issue is not just one of breaching legal parameters by fishing in ‘troubled waters’. It is also a humanitarian and an economical one. As New Delhi works out a plan, Colombo, as a friend, should refrain from upping the ante.
A sense of moderation will also contribute in taking forward the bilateral relations which have received a big boost with the recent visits of Mr Sirisena to India and Mr Modi to Sri lanka. The two nations have a number of important issues to handle. Colombo looks forward to New Delhi’s active participation in infrastructure development, while India hopes for an early settlement of grievances of the lankan Tamils, so that the resolution robs vested interests here, especially in Tamil Nadu, of an opportunity to condemn Colombo.