External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is holding a high-level meeting with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samarweera in New Delhi to sort out the fishermen issue. The meeting comes days after the fishermen associations of both the countries failed to reach a common ground to resolve the issue. <br/><br/>Fishermen based in Sri Lanka have been claiming that their livelihood is affected due to the bottom trawling practised by Indian fishermen and their poaching into Sri Lankan territory. <br/><br/>Fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are opposed to Sri Lankan Navy arresting them and seizing their boats. Though the fishermen are released on humanitarian grounds, their vessels are not returned by the Sri Lankan government.<br/><br/>Nine Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody were released this week ahead of the meeting.<br/><br/>The issue was raised by the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka during their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month and both sides had agreed for a high-level meeting.
News On AIR | November 5, 2016 1:20 PM
India, Sri Lanka FMs hold meeting to sort out fishermen issue