Issue of recent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy discussed
India on Tuesday said it was closely monitoring China's intention as it was showing “more than the normal interest” in the Indian Ocean affairs.
“The Government of India has come to realise that China has been showing more than the normal interest in the Indian Ocean affairs. So we are closely monitoring the Chinese intentions,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in the Lok Sabha.
Responding to queries during a call-attention motion on “The situation arising out of the recent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy,” Mr. Krishna assured the House that “appropriate action and measures” would be taken to safeguard the country's territorial integrity and the welfare of its fishermen.
Initiating the motion, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.R. Baalu said that when the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement was signed on the Katchatheevu islands in 1974, the then External Affairs Minister, Swaran Singh, had said that fishing and navigation rights had been safeguarded for the future. Under the agreement on the island, which falls in the Sri Lankan territory, Indian fishermen can rest and dry their nets during fishing in international waters.
Mr. Baalu asked the Centre to revisit the agreement and increase patrolling in the waters to protect the fishermen.
Mr. Krishna, however, ruled it out, saying: “We cannot go back on the solemn agreement between two governments.” India and Sri Lanka were discussing, through the Joint Working Group — constituted to deal with issues related to fishermen and to work out bilateral institutional arrangements for ensuring the safety and security of the fishermen of both countries — and addressing such issues in a humane and practical way.
Sri Lanka is a friendly country, an aspect that is needed to be kept in mind, the Minister said, adding that Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is currently in Colombo discussing such matters. Mr. Krishna said he was planning to travel to Colombo in October, when issues related to fishermen would be discussed further.
India had consistently taken up issues relating to incidents of firing on or apprehension of fishermen with the Sri Lankan government to ensure that its Navy acted with restraint and our fishermen were treated in a humane manner.
Unhappy over the reply, All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members, led by M. Thambidurai, staged a walkout, while Mr. Baalu raised several other questions.
The Minister said that after the October 2008 understanding between the two countries on fishing arrangements, incidents of apprehension and firing on Indian fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka had come down significantly.
In 2008, a total of 1,456 Indian fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, while in 2009, the number had come down to 127 fishermen, and till July this year, only 26 fishermen were apprehended.
Keywords: S.M. Krishna, Chinese intentions, Indian Ocean affairs
Comments:
It takes two to Tango.We must maintain the friendly relations for the benefit of both countries and respect each others rights.
Ours is a a very closely knit relationship.
Let us all remember that.
Defence Policy of India has extremely faulted at the modern time. Defence policy just like stale water. so it is urgently should be radical change accoding to keep on first Place National Interest rather then Party Interest - Vote bank Poltics. Secondly Clearly lack of Long term vision towrads china. India defence and Foreign policy depand upon Party who come in Centre. These policy changes whenever party change in centre.
So in near future india might sufer attack from China it mean Government of India is ready for screfyies killing of Indian at least 10 lakh people of Border Area or Capital Area If china attacked " a Limited attack to learn/ wake indian politician untill learn to home work to defend itself.
I salute our great Politician and top Milatary of last at leat 4 decads who are clearly responsible for killing innocent indian lives in near future in war, by not taking appropiating steps to defend india.
Beware of China. Since, India is the only country which has almost equal population and with great military powers in Asian region, it poses threat to China. China is determined and is steadily making its presence/trying to control various countries surrounding India and including the territorial waters. Rebuilding the Infrastructures in Sri Lanka, offering Pakistan Nuclear Reactors are some of the disturbing factors. Wake up Krsna. Take appropriate action. The Intention of China is very clear. You do not need a crystal ball.
Mr RANJIT SAMARASINGHE: How can u make such a comments, when some one who already cheated you when we have a friendly relationship (Chini-India Bhai Bhai). They occupied our country and that shock has killed JawahalalNehru. Again we are saying Bhai-Bhai(friends). CHineses are in great need for the control of Indian ocena for the supply of Oil from Gulf and also for the base stations to control India from all the sides. They are trying from ArunachalPradesh to enter Bayof Bengal but due to presence of Bangladesh it will be little bit complicated,so they are taking the help from Pakistan.
We have to send our troops and establish strong communication system and Air forces base stations along the China border and also We Have to Try to Get the Membership in SecurityCouncil so that we can check the activites of CHINA. We can't stand on third position Non-Aligned Movement.It will be bluner mistake if we do like that.
I don't think srilanka will mend it policy towards india. The killings of indian tamil fishermen will continue in future also. Indian policy makers are only interested in kashmir and they look with blind eye for tamil problem in srilanka and tamil fishermen issue. Katchathivu handed over to srilanka without involving of tamil nadu leaders. Indian policy makers and srilankan politicians solely responsible for killing of nearly 2 lacs tamil & sinhala people in srilanka. Only srilankan leaders (tamil/sinhala) can find solution to the tamil/sinhala people. Sinhala/tamil leaders should be realistic.