**Executive Summary**
This document is the response by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs to the Lok Sabha, answering Unstarred Question No. 961 regarding the arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. It provides data on the number of Indian fishermen in custody in various countries as of 27 November 2025 and outlines the steps the government has taken to address this issue. The answer references a visit facilitated by the Government, for a crew of Indian fishermen to inspect boats released on 25 August 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Fishermen in Custody (as of 27 November 2025):**
* Sri Lanka: 66 (18 under trial, 48 serving sentences)
* Pakistan: 200
* Bangladesh: 70
* Iraq: 02
* **Sri Lankan Arrests:**
* Indian fishermen are arrested for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
* The IMBL was agreed upon in 1974, with consultation from the then-State Government of Tamil Nadu.
* **Government Efforts:**
* Since 2014, the Government has focused on addressing the livelihood interests and humanitarian aspects of the issue.
* Continuous engagement with Sri Lankan leadership and authorities to ensure the welfare, early release, and repatriation of fishermen.
* Immediate diplomatic action taken upon receiving reports of injuries to Indian fishermen, involving Indian Missions and Posts to seek consular access.
* The Sri Lankan Government has been repeatedly requested to treat this as a humanitarian and livelihood concern, stressing that force should not be used.
* All fishermen-related issues are addressed through bilateral mechanisms like the Joint Working Group on fisheries, including representatives from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
* Government efforts have resulted in the release and repatriation of 3622 Indian fishermen since May 2014.
* Government facilitated the visit of a crew of Indian fishermen to inspect and salvage boats released by Sri Lankan Courts on 25 August 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Fishermen**
*Impact:*
Subject to arrest and detention by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the IMBL. Some fishermen have been injured.
*Action Required:*
Adhere to the IMBL and avoid fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
**Government of India**
*Impact:*
Responsible for addressing the issue through diplomatic channels, bilateral agreements, and providing assistance to apprehended fishermen.
*Action Required:*
Continue engagement with Sri Lankan authorities, providing consular access, and working towards the release and repatriation of fishermen. Continue with efforts to address the livelihood and humanitarian concerns.
**Government of Tamil Nadu**
*Impact:*
Represented in the Joint Working Group on fisheries.
*Action Required:*
Participate in the Joint Working Group on fisheries and provide input on the issue.
**Sri Lankan Government**
*Impact:*
Involved in arresting and detaining Indian fishermen, and in discussions with the Indian government regarding the issue.
*Action Required:*
Address the issue as a humanitarian concern, avoid the use of force, and engage in dialogue with the Indian government to find a resolution.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations.
Sri Lanka: Country whose naval authorities have arrested Indian fishermen, raising issues of maritime boundary and fishing rights.
Tamil Nadu: Indian state from which many of the arrested fishermen originate.
International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL): Maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka that, when crossed, can result in the arrest of fishermen.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 961
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
ARREST OF FISHERMAN BY SRI LANKAN NAVY
961. SHRI RAJA A, SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B, DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS
THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN, SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY
VASANTH, THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN, KM. SUDHA R, SHRI
SELVAGANAPATHI T.M., SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR, DR. GANAPATHY
RAJKUMAR P
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of Indian fishermen languishing in Jails in different
countries, country-wise;
(b) whether the Government has taken serious note of the fact that more
than 750 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been arrested by
the Sri Lankan authorities including the recent arrest and use of force
against the fishermen near Delft Island, if so, the details thereof along
1with the representation/letter, if any, received from MPs and CM of Tamil
Nadu in this regard during the last three years till date;
(c) whether the Government has taken diplomatic steps and swift action to
get the fishermen and their boats released immediately and if so, the
details thereof;
(d) the steps taken by the Union Government to make a strong and
coordinated effort to find a permanent amicable solution to this grave
issue;
(e) whether any fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka are still detained and are
facing trial, if so,
the details thereof including the length of their incarceration;
(f) whether injured fishermen have received immediate compensation or
rehabilitation from the Central Government, if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor; and
(g) whether the Government has failed to deploy stronger maritime
protection measures in our own waters, allowing foreign naval forces to
repeatedly intimidate, attack and arrest Indian fishermen with impunity
and if so, the details thereof?
2ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to g) Details regarding apprehension of Indian fishermen abroad are as
follows:
Country Number of Fishermen in custody
(as of 27 November 2025)
Sri Lanka 66 (18 under trial, 48 serving sentences)
Pakistan 200
Bangladesh 70
Iraq 02
Indian fishermen are arrested from time to time by Sri Lankan authorities
for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and
fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The IMBL was agreed upon between the
Governments of India and Sri Lanka in 1974. The then-State Government
of Tamil Nadu was consulted by the Union Government before its
finalization. Another agreement in 1976, through a formal exchange of
3letters by the then-Union Government and its Sri Lankan counterpart,
stipulated that the fishing vessels and fishermen of India shall not engage
in fishing in the historic waters, the territorial sea and the exclusive zone
of Sri Lanka. In view of this situation that has been inherited, Government
has, since 2014, endeavored to address the livelihood interests of the
Indian fishing community and focused on its humanitarian aspects. The
Government has continuously engaged the Sri Lankan leadership and
relevant authorities to ensure the welfare of our fishermen as well as work
for their early release and repatriation.
Whenever reports of injuries to Indian fishermen are received, the
Government through diplomatic channels immediately takes up the matter
with the Government of Sri Lanka. Prompt steps are taken by Indian
Missions and Posts to seek consular access to ensure their welfare as well
as their early release. The Sri Lankan Government has been repeatedly
requested to treat this issue as a humanitarian and livelihood concern. It
has been stressed that force should not be used under any circumstances.
Further, all issues related to fishermen are also dealt with through bilateral
institutional mechanisms such as the regular meetings of the Joint
4Working Group on fisheries, which includes representatives from the
Government of Tamil Nadu.
Concerted efforts of the Government have so far resulted in the release
and repatriation of 3622 Indian fishermen since May 2014. In addition,
Government facilitated the visit of a crew of Indian fishermen to inspect
and salvage boats released by Sri Lankan Courts on 25 August 2025.
*****
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