By IANS,
New Delhi : India will remain engaged with Sri Lanka to ensure that fishermen from both sides can pursue their work “in a safe, secure and sustainable manner”, the government said Monday.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Lok Sabha that India has regularly taken up with Sri Lanka the incidents of attack on Indian fishermen in the narrow sea dividing the two countries.
He said the government attached “the highest importance to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen”. Most such fishermen engaged in fishing in the region are from Tamil Nadu.
“After implementing mutually agreed arrangements, the incidents of attack and apprehension of bonafide Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities have significant come down,” the minister said.
“It has also been agreed to enhance the cooperation to allow both countries to pursue their fishing activity in a safe, secure and sustainable manner”.