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India seeks licence to fish around Kachchativu
View(s):India will put forward a new proposal aimed at settling the long running dispute over fishing rights with Sri Lanka when External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris visits New Delhi on Friday, the Sunday Times learns. Minister Peiris will leave for India on Wednesday and will meet with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday.
According to officials, the new Indian Government is likely to ask Sri Lanka to give rights to Indian fishermen to fish around Kachchativu Island by issuing commercial licences to them on the payment of a fee.The Sri Lanka Government has consistently opposed any fishing rights for Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan territorial waters.
However, since the new Indian government took office in May more than 175 Indian fishermen have been released by the Sri Lanka government as a gesture of good will. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Fisherman’s Federation President N. Devdas and a team are also likely to be in New Delhi at the time of Minister Peiris’ visit and are seeking an appointment to meet him.