India seeks pact with Lanka on fishermen’s licence to Katchathivu
2008-10-23 10:17:49

India is negotiating with Sri Lanka to enter into an agreement for providing licences to Indian fishermen for going to Katchathivu in Sri Lanka’s northern waters, a Times of India report said.

Home minister Shivraj Patil told India’s upper house Rajya Sabha that India was trying to enter into an agreement to facilitate Indian fishermen going to Katchathivu.

Patil was responding to questions in Rajya Sabha members regarding the killing of fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.

"The talks are on with Sri Lankan government to allow smooth movement of Indian fishermen while fishing in the sea," he said.

There are two agreements with Sri Lanka — one signed in 1974 and the other in 1976 — on Katchathivu that allow Indian fishermen to go to the island and dry their fishing nets there, Patil said, adding that discussions are going on whether it would be feasible to give licences to Indian fishermen for fishing in the area.