India to encourage fishermen team to Sri Lanka

Indian government would encourage a visit to Sri Lanka by a delegation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu next month to interact with their counterparts in Sri Lanka.

This would be a measure to address the problems being faced by Indian fishermen, said an official release from the External Affairs Ministry of India issued on Saturday, The Hindu reported.

The decision to encourage the interaction came at a meeting convened by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to discuss matters related to fishing in the waters between India and Sri Lanka, in the backdrop of recent developments concerning the violent incidents, the release said.

“Such contacts have proved to be mutually beneficial and should be strengthened.”

The meeting, attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, among others, welcomed the proposed meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fishing in March. The proposed draft Memorandum of Understanding on development and cooperation in fisheries would also be discussed.