The Hindu : National : India, Sri Lanka to resolve fishermen issue

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India, Sri Lanka to resolve fishermen issue

NEW YORK: With incidents of Indian fishermen being targeted allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Straits on the rise, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to evolve a mechanism to resolve the issue.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollogama, who discussed a wide range of subjects during their meeting here on Wednesday, agreed to task their relevant departments to evolve the mechanism.

Officials said that Mr. Mukherjee had expressed concern over incidents of Sri Lankan Navy targeting Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary between the two countries.

The two also discussed the situation in Sri Lanka in the context of the provincial elections but no further details were available.

Mr. Mukherjee also called on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and discussed various global issues, including climate change and food security.

Officials said Mr. Ban appreciated India’s long-standing and consistent support for the U.N. peacekeeping operations. India is one of the leading contributors of peace-keeping troops.

Mr. Mukherjee also had extensive discussions with the U.N. General Assembly President, the Rev Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, on the issues related to the world body.

He renewed invitation to Rev. Brockmann to visit India and the latter recalled his long-standing admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and his technique of non-violence.

During his meeting with Nepalese Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Mr. Mukherjee reiterated India’s willingness to help the country in any field that the government and peoples of the country desired. The two Ministers also discussed the evolving situation in Nepal. — PTI

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