Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether as many as 37 Indian fishermen had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in October, 2013;
(b) whether this arrest took place about a week after the visit of the Minister for External Affairs to Sri Lanka; and
(c) whether Government has taken up this issue with the Sri Lankan Government again and if so, their response in this regard ?

ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a) & (b) External Affairs Minister visited Sri Lanka on 7-8 October, 2013. As per available information, a total of 73 Indian fishermen were arrested in the month of October 2013.

(c) Government attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. Reports of arrests of Indian fishermen are immediately and consistently taken up with the Government of Sri Lanka through diplomatic channels. The matter has also been taken up during bilateral meetings at various levels. It is as a result of these efforts that Government has, till date, secured the release of 41 Indian fishermen, out of the 73 apprehended, from the custody of Sri Lanka.

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