The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka announced last Friday that 21 Indian fishermen, detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of illegal poaching in Sri Lankan waters, were repatriated back to Chennai, India. This was a notable move given the contentious history between these two nations over fishing rights and territorial boundaries.
This conflict over fishing grounds is deeply rooted in the geography and history of both countries. India and Sri Lanka, whose closest points are only roughly 55 kilometers apart, established the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between them through bilateral agreements in 1974 and 1976. In 1976, both countries pledged to cease fishing in each other’s waters.
Despite these agreements, fishermen from both nations continued to illegally operate in each others’ territories. The end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009 saw Sri Lankan fishermen voice objections about Indian fishermen infiltrating their waters. Their complaints were underscored by the difference in fishing practices between the two countries. Unlike their Sri Lankan counterparts who often fish in deeper waters using multi-day crafts, Indian fishermen mainly operate within shallow coastal areas due to their limited fishing capabilities.
The ongoing conflict has led to the detention and even shooting of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities for alleged territorial infringements. As reported by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers, 195 Indian fishermen and their 31 trawlers were arrested by Sri Lanka in 2023 alone. This figure increased to 240 by the end of that year.
Recognizing the recurrent issue, Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda stressed the need for a diplomatic resolution between India and Sri Lanka in a statement to the Sri Lankan Parliament on December 12. His call for dialogue reiterated the long-standing need for a peaceful and mutual agreement to resolve this ongoing issue.
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