Fishermen killing:Krishna asks Lanka not to upset ties

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 yesterday.

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."

Krishna said Rao met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday and conveyed India's concerns over the issue of fishermen being killed allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.

"The President of Sri Lanka fully appreciates India's position and he also shared our concerns. He has ordered a serious investigation into the circumstances that led to the killing and he is awaiting the report of the investigation," he said. Rao was also present during the meeting with Karunanidhi.

Krishna said the Joint Statement issued between the two countries yesterday fully assures the protection of the fishermen of India and that they can pursue their activities without any hindrances.

"If there are anything, the Government of India will certainly intervene and they will take the necessary appropriate steps to assure the fishermen that they could continue (with their) work unhindered," he said.

The Minister said the Government is directing the Coast Guard to be vigilant as fishermen don’t respect territorial waters as they go and fish "wherever the catch is and fish is available."

"Trespass will be normal in case of fishermen," he said. The meeting comes a day after Karunanidhi asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to advise Colombo in "strong terms" to refrain from such "uncalled for attacks."

He also told the Prime Minister that the presence of Navy and Coast Guard on the International Maritime Border between India and Sri Lanka should be strengthened to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

Singh also assured Karunanidhi that he would speak to Defence Minister A K Antony on the issue of strengthening the Navy and Coast Guard on the Indo-Sri Lanka maritime border.

The meeting between Singh and Karunanidhi comes against the backdrop of two fishermen from Tamil Nadu being killed allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy after they inadvertently crossed into the Sri Lankan waters.