Foreign Policy Watch: India-Sri Lanka

Resolving the vexatious Fishing dispute

Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Mains level: India Sri Lanka relations;

Why in the News?

Last week, Bimal Rathnayake, the Leader of the House in Sri Lanka’s Parliament and the country’s Transport and Highways Minister, urged the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments to take strong action against illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

How do domestic factors in both India and Sri Lanka influence their respective foreign policies concerning the fishing dispute?

For India: 

  • Livelihood Dependency and Economic Pressure: Thousands of fishermen in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry rely on fishing in the Palk Bay for their livelihoods. Limited fishing zones and declining fish stocks in Indian waters push them into Sri Lankan territory.
    • Example: Fishermen from districts like Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam regularly cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) due to insufficient catch within Indian waters.
  • Political and Electoral Pressures: Tamil Nadu’s regional parties, such as the DMK and AIADMK, often raise the fishing dispute to secure voter support, pressuring the central government to prioritize the issue in foreign policy.
    • Example: Before elections, Tamil Nadu politicians routinely demand stronger diplomatic efforts to release Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.
  • Legal and Regulatory Constraints: Indian regulations, like the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act (1983), restrict the use of mechanized boats close to the shore, limiting fishing areas and driving fishermen toward Sri Lankan waters.
    • Example: The 1983 Act bans trawling within three nautical miles of the Indian coastline, making deeper Sri Lankan waters more attractive despite the legal risks.

For Srilanka: 

  • Protection of Northern Province Fishermen’s Livelihoods: Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen in the Northern Province rely on traditional fishing methods and face competition from Indian trawlers, which threatens their livelihoods.
  • Post-Civil War Economic Recovery: The Northern Province, which was heavily affected by the civil war, is still recovering economically. Safeguarding local fishing areas is seen as vital for the region’s rehabilitation and economic stability.
    • Example: The Sri Lankan government prioritizes protecting fishing zones to support the economic revival of communities affected by the civil war.
  • Political and Nationalist Sentiments: There is domestic pressure on the Sri Lankan government to take a strong stance against perceived violations of territorial waters, especially from nationalist groups and local political parties.
    • Example: In 2015, then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defended the Sri Lankan Navy’s actions against Indian fishermen, reflecting nationalist sentiments on protecting maritime boundaries.

Why is resolving the “festering Palk Bay sheries dispute” considered crucial for the Tamil-speaking fishermen of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province?

  • Protection of Livelihoods: Tamil-speaking fishermen in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province depend on local marine resources for their survival. Illegal fishing by Indian trawlers reduces fish stocks, threatening their primary source of income.
    • Example: Frequent incursions by Indian fishermen using bottom trawling disrupt the local fishing economy, making it difficult for Sri Lankan fishermen to sustain their livelihoods.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Bottom trawling by Indian fishermen causes severe damage to marine ecosystems, affecting fish breeding and long-term marine biodiversity.
    • Example: The destruction of fish habitats due to bottom trawling reduces future fish yields, directly impacting the sustainability of fishing communities in the Northern Province.
  • Socio-Economic Recovery Post-Civil War: The Northern Province is still recovering from the socio-economic impacts of Sri Lanka’s civil war. Protecting their fishing waters is vital for long-term economic stability and community rebuilding.
    • Example: Ensuring exclusive access to local waters helps these communities rebuild their economy and strengthens their post-war rehabilitation efforts.

What role can India play in resolving the Palk Bay fishing dispute? (Way forward)

  • Promoting Sustainable Fishing Practices: India can encourage and support its fishermen to adopt sustainable fishing methods, reducing the harmful impact of bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.
    • Example: Expanding the Palk Bay deep-sea fishing scheme and integrating it with the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana can help Indian fishermen transition to deep-sea fishing, reducing pressure on the Palk Bay region.
  • Facilitating Bilateral Talks: India can work with Sri Lanka to resume and mediate talks between fishermen from both countries, fostering dialogue and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
    • Example: India previously supported fishermen-level talks in 2016, which allowed both sides to voice concerns and seek collaborative solutions. Restarting such discussions can ease tensions.
  • Strengthening Legal and Diplomatic Cooperation: India can strengthen legal frameworks and diplomatic channels to enforce maritime boundaries while ensuring the protection of its fishermen’s rights.
    • Example: The Joint Working Group on Fisheries (established in 2016) provides a platform for both governments to discuss and implement measures to prevent illegal fishing and resolve disputes amicably.

Mains PYQ: 

Q In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how do mestic factors influence foreign policy. (2013)

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