DIRECT ANSWER: The frequent arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, as seen in the Rameswaram incident, highlight the persistent India-Sri Lanka Fishermen Conflict, a critical bilateral flashpoint centered on the disputed International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Strait. This issue intertwines maritime sovereignty, livelihood security, and the effectiveness of diplomatic mechanisms.
Why in News?
Recently, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 12 fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram, for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters. This incident underscores the failure of existing diplomatic mechanisms to permanently resolve this recurring humanitarian and diplomatic crisis impacting India-Sri Lanka relations.
What is the Concept / Issue?
The conflict primarily stems from the overlap between traditional fishing grounds used by Tamil Nadu fishermen and the unilaterally demarcated IMBL in the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Key issues include: the historical impact of the 1974/1976 Indo-Lankan agreements that ceded the resource-rich Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka; the use of destructive bottom trawling by Indian vessels leading to marine resource depletion in the Palk Bay; and the lack of clear demarcation enforcement, often leading to arrests on humanitarian grounds by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Why is this Issue Important?
- Strategic: The issue poses a persistent irritant in Indiaâs âNeighbourhood Firstâ policy, potentially pushing Sri Lanka closer to external non-traditional partners (like China) if bilateral resolution is not achieved swiftly.
- Economic: It severely impacts the livelihood security and socio-economic stability of coastal communities in Tamil Nadu, leading to losses due to the confiscation of valuable trawlers and fishing gear.
- Geopolitical/Social: It touches upon the sensitive relationship between the governments in Chennai and New Delhi, often becoming a significant domestic political issue within India and impacting the rebuilding efforts of the war-affected Tamil populations in Northern Sri Lanka.
Key Sectors / Dimensions Involved
- Dimension 1: International Law and Maritime Sovereignty: Understanding the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) framework, territorial waters jurisdiction, and the validity of the 1974/1976 bilateral agreements defining the IMBL.
- Dimension 2: Bilateral Diplomacy and Humanitarian Concerns: Analyzing the role and efficacy of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries, the role of External Affairs Ministry (MEA) for repatriation, and ensuring the humane treatment of arrested individuals.
- Dimension 3: Environmental and Sustainable Fishing Practices: Addressing the ecological damage caused by bottom trawling and the urgent need for India to incentivize alternative, sustainable deep-sea fishing methods.
What are the Challenges?
- The Sri Lankan government's firm stand against bottom trawling, which significantly depletes their marine resources, making compromise difficult.
- The political compulsion in Tamil Nadu to protect the traditional fishing rights and access to the resource-rich areas around Katchatheevu.
- Slow and cumbersome diplomatic processes regarding the release of confiscated, high-value fishing vessels, which cripples the fishermen financially.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims Focus:
- Location of Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar, and Katchatheevu Island.
- Provisions of the UNCLOS, specifically territorial waters and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
- Bilateral institutional mechanisms like the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries.
Mains Angle:
GS Paper II â Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on Indiaâs interests; India and its neighborhood relations. GS Paper III â Security challenges and their management in border areas; Maritime Security.
How UPSC May Ask This Topic:
Critically analyze the recurring India-Sri Lanka fishermen conflict. Suggest concrete institutional and technological solutions to manage the dispute while addressing humanitarian and environmental concerns. (250 words)
What is the Way Forward?
- Phased transition from bottom trawling to deep-sea fishing: India must expedite the implementation of schemes like the Blue Revolution to provide subsidies and infrastructure for alternative livelihood options.
- Establishing a 'Tolerance Zone': Creation of a mutually agreed, non-exclusive buffer zone near the IMBL where traditional fishing methods are allowed under strict surveillance, avoiding immediate arrests.
- Implementing a Satellite-Based Tracking System: Mandatory use of transponders for Indian fishing vessels coupled with strict monitoring by the Indian Coast Guard to prevent accidental IMBL crossings.