Both the nations now wants the well-being, safety and security of their as it is their highest priority. To make it more flexible India and Sri Lanka have agreed to enhance their fisheries issues that have plagued both parties. At the recently-concluded meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries held in Colombo, both countries agreed the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and emphasized the need to extend humane treatment to fishermen from both sides.
Sri Lanka wants more respect to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) but showed flexibility in expediting the release of fishermen captured when they cross the IMBL. Both the countries have issued the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of 26th October 2008, which led to the fall of number of violent incidents. They have agreed to discouraging fishermen from using destructive fishing methods.
The joint statement also states that both the nations keep an eye on the engagement between fishermen and fishermen’s associations in India and Sri Lanka. They agreed to encourage a continued dialog process between the fishermen’s communities of the two countries through regular meetings. Both the nations exchange views to manage the fishery resources in their respective waters. They said there is a need to conserve marine resources efficiently and agreed to the joint development of fisheries and marine resources in the Palk Bay area and the Gulf of Mannar.
