Fishermen crisis: India hopes SL will cooperate

10 June 2013 02:44 am Views - 2527

While claiming that Union government had initiated talks with the Sri Lankan High Commission to secure the release of 49 Indian fishermen, who were arrested by Sri Lanka, the Indian government today expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government will cooperate with it, the PTI reported.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister Office V Narayanaswamy said, “Foreign Minister Salman Kurshid has also taken steps to secure their release and we hope the Sri Lankan Government will cooperate.”

He said the Indian Navy and Coast Guard had stepped up patrolling near the International Maritime Boundary Line to prevent Indian fishermen being arrested by the Lankan Navy.

He also suggested that fishermen of the two countries initiate talks to find a permanent solution to the problem.

On Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's persistent demand for retrieving Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, he said the Prime Minister will take suitable action on the demand.