Flurry of diplomatic activity between Delhi and Colombo

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao was on a two-day visit to areas in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka to have a first hand assessment of the situation on the resettlement of displaced Tamils and Indian assistance to the process.  Foreign Minister SM Krishna would be going to Colombo in October to reassure President Rajapaksa  of Indian Government’s continued commitment to the development of the island nation, and to discuss various bilateral issues.

The Indian diplomatic moves come in the wake of concern among the Tamil community in India as well as abroad that New Delhi is not doing enough for the welfare and resettlement of displaced Tamilian population and re-building the war damaged provinces.  It is also felt that the Rajapaksa Government, riding high popularity curve after rooting out the  LTTE and two eletoral victories, has not been showing any urgency in re-settlement of the displaced ehtnic Tamils or their welfare. 

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi, before setting out for Sri Lanka in a bid to e-assure him that Delhi would do everything in the relief and rehabilitation of war -hit Tamils across the Palk Straits.  It may be recalled that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Rs. 500 crore as humanitarian assistance for this purpose.  When President Rajapaksa visited New Delhi in June, Singh committed to build 50,000 houses for the displaced persons.  He also assured Rajapaksa of India’s continued commitment to assist in Sri Lanka’s projects for infrastructure and economic development. India is awaiting Sri Lankan consent for signing the CEPA agreement for greater economic cooperation.  These issues would come up for detailed discussion during Krishna's visit to Colombo.

Another issue that has created irritants in India-Lanka bilateral relations is fishing and navigation rights. The issue came up for discussion in Indian Parliament on August 31 in the context of recent attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. 

On July 7, Sri Lankan naval vessel attacked an Indian fishing boat south east of Kadiakkarai. One fisherman was killed and a few others were assaulted.  On the same night, another Indian fishing boat was attacked south of Vedarnanyam. Some persons from a vessel which appeared to be of Sri Lankan navy boarded the boat and thrashed the fishermen.  Foreign Minister SM Krishna assured Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) that “appropriate action and measures” would be taken to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and the welfare of its fishermen. 

It may be recalled that under an agreement in 1974,  India handed over Katchatheevu Islands to Sri Lanka.  The accord allowed Indian fishermen to rest and dry their nets during fishing in international waters. But this provision has often resulted in clashes between Indian fishermen and Sri Lankan naval patrols. 

Cooperation at the highest level, however, has gradually reduced the number of such incidents.  While a total of 1456 Indian fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy in 2008, the figure came down to 127 last year. This year, upto end July, only 26 incidents have been reported.

A number of steps have also been taken by fisheries Associations of the two countries, with the participation of  representatives of the two countries. The Colombo-based Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies has organised a conference of representatives from the two countries on August 2 to discuss and offer solutions to the problems of fishermen and other maritime issues causing tensions between India and Sri Lanka.  A follow up conference between Fishermen’s Associations of the two countries was held on August 24-25 in Chennai, India.

Another conference will be hed in Colombo this month, when all the suggestions that have come up would be consolidated and presented to the governments in Delhi and Colombo for follow-up action.

One suggestion is that Indian fishermen should be allowed to fish in Sri Lankan waters on three days a week up to a total of 70 days  for a period of one year.  It was also agreed that the two associations would work with their respective governments for early release of detained fishermen.  Long term solution, the two conferences said, would be joint exploitation of fishing resources. This measure would call for setting up of joint ventures by both countries.

One of the problems identified relates to excess capacity of the mechanised trawler fleet. While there are no objections for traditional fishing boats crossing borders to either side, trespassing by the mechanised trawlers is not acceptable, for obvious reasons. The governments on both sides officially treat trans-border fishing as illegal and often resort to arrests. 

The recent visit by Sri Lankan Economic Minister, Defence Secretary and Presidential Advisor followed by return visits by the top brass of  Indian External Affairs Ministry are expected to drive bilateral cooperation to a  higher trajectory. New Delhi's concern is welfare and resettlement of Tamil population, dislocated by the Wanni War.  While India offered all possible assistance, including de-mining operations of the erstwhile war zone, it has also been trying to convince President Rajapaksa that it is in Sri Lanka’s own interest to do all that is possible  to give a sense of belonging ethnic Tamils. And their empowerment can come through some power sharing arrangement at the Centre and in the North-Eastern province.