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India protested strongly to Sri Lanka over death of fishermen in vessel collision: S Jaishankar

11 February 2021 08:25 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India has strongly protested to Sri Lanka over the death of four Indian fishermen following a collision between their vessel and a Lankan naval craft last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.

Replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha, the minister also said no Indian fishermen were in Sri Lanka's custody presently.

On January 18 this year, four fishermen lost their lives following a collision between their vessel and a Sri Lankan naval craft.

"We have very, very strongly protested to the Sri Lankans on this matter. In response to that, they have instituted an inquiry. We are awaiting the results of the inquiry. But, I wish to assure...that we will take a very strong view on this matter," he said.

A strong protest in regard to the incident was conveyed by the Indian High Commissioner to the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. A strong demarche was also made to the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi.

Mr Jaishankar also told the House that "right now, there are no Indian fishermen in the custody of Sri Lanka". There were nine till recently and they have been released.

"As of now, there are 62 Indian boats which we are trying to get released from Sri Lankan custody," he said.

Previously, there were 173 boats, out of which 36 were salvageable.

"So, the auction procedures for the unsalvageable boats are currently under discussion. Our endeavour would be, whatever can be returned, we will get them returned and whatever can be salvaged, we will expedite the salvage," the minister added.

He also said the government attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen. As soon as reports of apprehension of Indian fishermen are received, the government, through diplomatic channels, takes up the matter with the government of Sri Lanka, he said.(NDTV)


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  • The Counsellor Thursday, 11 February 2021 09:17 PM

    Wondering/fishing on international waters without clearance is considered a national threat. Mr Jaishankar, elaborate on this.

    Milinda Thursday, 11 February 2021 09:36 PM

    There is no need to aggressively protest and make a big noise. The simple solution to the problem is to stop sending Indian fishermen to Srilankan waters to rob the fish and deprive the Srilankan fishermens livelihoods.

    A Thursday, 11 February 2021 09:39 PM

    How come they come into our waters get lost India

    Hamid Thursday, 11 February 2021 09:44 PM

    What happened to india

    Tom Thursday, 11 February 2021 09:52 PM

    Indians trespassing sea reserved only for Srilanka, when Srilankans explained to Indians that should not be happened, but spineless fellows couldn't stop it,now put the blame on Srilanka

    Kumar Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:14 PM

    Why don't Navy guys punch a in hole every apprehended boat and send it to the bottom. If every apprehension is videoed can avoid protests. Why a strong protest before completing the inquiry. India asking the fisherman to stay within the territorial waters will solve the problem.

    Dolly Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:18 PM

    Minister S Jaishankar - if you Indians stop violating the the rules, respect the laws of other countries and also not indulge destructive environmental practices there will be no issue. So cut the rhetoric and stopping playing to the audience. Solve the issue for your famers first. D

    ChanakaJ Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:36 PM

    Our turn to complain to the UN and Ms Bachelet!

    Jeeves Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:41 PM

    Collision is unfortunate, and loss of life was not intentional. But navy has absolute right to apprehend Indian fishermen/ traffickers/ illegal immigrants - anyone entering our territorial waters!

    unbiased Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:51 PM

    Killing is not a solution to breaking a law, and it can never be justified as per international human rights convention, be it Indians, Sri lankans, whoever. Perhaps killing has been the norm for Sri Lanka may not necessarily the norm in the international arena. I wonder , if Sri lanka will have the same guts to apprehend boats breaking Sri lankan territorial water if were they to be from China?? . You all have to understand, India is taking this issue lightly for two reasons. 1. India does not care much about fisherman (this is partially due to their cast system) 2. India does not want to alienate Lanka by aggression by which it makes China even closer to Indian ocean. If it was not for the above, they would have destroyed Sri Lanka long ago. Stop using silly patriotic arguments without any substance. For me I do not see any difference in the way SL navy acted and North Korea

    Vadivelu Yogaratnam Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:57 PM

    If your fisherman cross our water should be caught and hanged in front of public.

    Jaffna Logic Thursday, 11 February 2021 10:58 PM

    You Indians are threatening us because we are a small country, but China a country as big as yours, hit back at the aggressive patrol conducted by Indian Army in a disputed territory and killed 20 Indian Soldiers and Officers, a few months ago, your cowardly response was to “ Ban imports of Chinese goods into India”.

    Kandy Budhist Thursday, 11 February 2021 11:09 PM

    NO NO. Baseless accusation.

    Adam Speak Thursday, 11 February 2021 11:17 PM

    Understand India is a big country to feed it's people. Why don't India make Tamil Nadu to make an agreement to get their fish legally through Sri Lanka instead of Illegal Poaching. We can send High Quality Fish Processed or Un-Processed to India. Just don't play Politics because of the ECT matter. Mr. Jaishankar

    roobarbie Friday, 12 February 2021 12:17 AM

    If these Idian poachers are in Sri Lankan waters then they have no reason to complain. Thieving Indians take risks secreting into other peoples terrirtories illegally. Come on Jai Shankar, I thought you are an intelligent man. May be not as it seems to be!

    Sammy Friday, 12 February 2021 01:01 AM

    What is there for India to protest when Indian fishermen tresspass into lankan waters and the accident happens?

    Punchi Banda Friday, 12 February 2021 04:26 AM

    Maybe incorrect I was told that 800 Tamil Nadu dispensable fishermen killed since 2000 by Sri Lankan navy using Indian supplied navy craft and weapons. Only India supplies weapons for free to be used to kill their own citizens

    Thavamanis Friday, 12 February 2021 04:36 AM

    This is master plan by India... This is how they play crooked games Our Navy say they did not kill them... So India master plan is to kill their own fisherman and then turn the accusation on to Srilanka.

    Violated sovereignty Friday, 12 February 2021 06:39 AM

    Hi. I am prom Sri Lanka. Do you like my Sri Lankan smile?

    Kathir Friday, 12 February 2021 02:51 PM

    What is the reply that Sri Lankan gouvernment will give to India on recent acquisitions of three Islands close to Jaffna to Chinese companies? China is your friend but Chinese installé missiles and nuclear weapons on these small islands obviously Sri Lanka wants to provocateur India and America.


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