Fishermen killing: Krishna asks Lanka not to upset ties

Taking a serious note of the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, India today told Colombo that use of force against them should not be repeated and asked it to take a decision that will not upset bilateral ties.

Taking a serious note of the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, India on Tuesday told Colombo that use of force against them should not be repeated and asked it to take a decision that will not upset bilateral ties.

HT Image

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also directed Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to convene a meeting of the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on the issue around February 15 to discuss the killing of the Indian fishermen threadbare.

"I hope that one thing is certain and one thing is common that regardless of whatever the circumstances are use of force and killing fishermen has to be something part of the history. It cannot be the present and the future. The Government of India is fully committed (to safeguard the rights)," Krishna told reporters after briefing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi about the talks Rao had with Sri Lankan authorities on Monday.

He said Indian officials have pointed out to Sri Lankan authorities that use of force against fishermen who crossover into the other country's border does not happen even with countries like Pakistan.

"It has been pointed out to Sri Lankan authorities that it does not happen with Pakistan or any other country and why should it happen with Sri Lanka alone," he said.

Noting that India has very cordial and friendly relations with Sri Lanka, Krishna said, "So it is in this context that the Sri Lankan Government will have to revisit the question and take some decision which will not upset the bilateral relations between our two countries."