New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The meeting between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen's associations in Chennai saw much better atmospherics and receptivity compared to the earlier two meetings, a top official said here on Wednesday.
The Indian fishermen's association proposed to its Sri Lankan counterpart to see if it was possible to work out a way for environmentally sustainable fishing that would be a win-win situation for both sides till a proper solution is worked out, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a media briefing here.
The fishermen's issue was a "longer term requirement which we need to address" and that "everybody understands that there is no solution just round the corner", he said.
The spokesperson said "the focus of the suggestions made by the Indian side is to try and see in the interim if it would be possible to work out a via media where there could be environmentally sustainable fishing which would be a win-win situation for both sides".
The meeting between the two sides in Chennai was the third. The first was in January last year and the second was in May last year.
He said the "atmospherics as well as the receptivity during this meeting was much better compared to previous meetings".
The spokesperson said the Sri Lankan side was more receptive to the Indian suggestions.
The Sri Lankan side is to return to its country and in April they would be holding a "fairly detailed conference amongst all of them to take cognizance of how they need to proceed. It is at that conference that they will discuss these suggestions following which they will come back, or there will be a next meeting that is in May".
The fishermen's association of both sides held talks in Chennai even as Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena ordered the release of 54 Indian fishermen arrested on Sunday by the navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters.
The 54 Tamil Nadu fishermen along with their 10 boats were seized in two separate incidents in the early morning hours of Sunday when they were allegedly poaching in the island's waters off the coast of Kankasanthurai and Thalaimannar in the north, said a Sri Lankan media report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the island nation earlier this month, had said that the "complex issue" involves livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both sides and both sides should handle it from this perspective.
Modi also said both need to find a long term solution to the issue.
He had said the fishermen's associations should meet soon to find a mutually acceptable arrangement, which can then be taken forward by both governments.
Ahead of Modi's visit to Colombo, the island nation had released 86 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture.
Jammu and Kashmir: Army chopper crashes in Bandipora, accident near LoC
An Army helicopter crashed on Friday in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. Officials said that an army helicopter was on patrol in the Gujran Nala area of Gurez Valley. Due to a sudden fault,
Doda Terror Attack: Terrorist attack in Chhatragalan Top, five army soldiers, one SPO injured, operation continues
Late on Tuesday night, terrorists targeted a joint check post of the army and police at Chhatragalan Top in Jammu division. The terrorists fired bullets indiscriminately. The encounter started due to
Honey Singh: 'Sushant would not have died if he had been with his family, Honey became emotional about being with his loved ones in depression
Where Bollywood veteran actors gave their reaction regarding the death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, now famous rapper Honey Singh has shared his views during a conversation with the media.
Coronavirus Patient Dies In Maharashtra, Third Death In India
मुंबई / नई दिल्ली: भारत में अत्यधिक संक्रामक बीमारी के अधिकतम मामलों की
Yogi Adityanath Oath Ceremony: 'I take the oath of God. Yogi Adityanath became the CM of UP for the second time in a row by creating history
The swearing-in of the new government of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to power again after securing an absolute majority in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, took place at the
India Pakistan: America wants to start talks between India and Pakistan, Foreign Ministry gave a big statement
The US State Department said in a statement on Wednesday that the US is supportive of starting a dialogue between India and Pakistan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Matthew Miller said in a conversation
'We are different from Hindus', Pak Army Chief spews venom against India while issuing threats on Kashmir
Pakistan's army chief General Syed Asim Munir has made a sharp statement against India and Hindus in a public event. He said- You must tell the story of Pakistanis to your children.
Who is Hamas Commander Ibrahim Biyari: Israel killed and killed Jews since 2004
The war between Israel and Hamas has been going on for more than three weeks. So far, more than nine and a half thousand people have died in this struggle. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
Corona explosion: Telangana CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao Corona Positive, 60 more people infected
Telangana CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao has become corona positive. Earlier, he also attended a rally on 14 April, in which a large number of people gathered. CM was involved in the rally organized for the
Israel: Israel can run the administration in Gaza in collaboration with Arab countries, Israeli diplomat in the UN indicated
Israel's diplomat at the United Nations has said that after the elimination of Hamas and the completion of the operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel will discuss the future of Gaza with Arab countries.
