Fishermen's arrest and diplomatic relations

Very often, Indian fishermen are intercepted by the coastal guards of the neighbouring countries, particularly Sri Lanka and Pakistan when the fishermen go into the middle of the sea. Likewise the Indian coastal guards too, intercept these two countries’ fishermen who come within Indian Territory. This is a regular exercise. Obviously, it is impossible to demarcate a boundary on the sea to ascertain up to which point a country’s predomince prevails. Nevertheless, Indian guards would do well to prevent recurring of such arrest. In the wake of such mass arrest which strains diplomatic relation between the two countries and the imbroglio by holding talks which can be solved bilaterally. Why do coast guards allow our fishermen to go to that extent trespassing other country’s territory? The only solution left is to make our coastguards wake up from their somnolent state – who must ensure that no trespassing takes place. Slackening may encourage Sri Lanka to develop a propensity towards Chi which is a bad omen for India. The strained relation developed during the UPA’s regime has since been patched up, thanks to Prime Minister rendra Modi!

Ashok Bordoloi,

Dibrugarh.