Fisheries pact with Lanka first of its kind - India
NEW DELHI: Describing Sunday's agreement between India and Sri Lanka
on fishing as highly significant, a senior Indian official said this was
the first time the two countries had come up with a way of dealing with
what happens when fisherfolk cross the International Maritime Boundary
Line (IMBL).
To the extent to which the fishermen issue had been a principal
concern of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and most MPs from
the State, the official expected the new agreement to lead to a cooling
of the political temperature in the State. To
The agreement came at the end of a visit to Delhi by Senior
Presidential - Advisor MP Basil Rajapaksa.
In a joint press release, the External Affairs Ministry said India
had conveyed its concern at the humanitarian situation in the northern
part of Sri Lanka, especially of civilians and internally displaced
persons caught in the hostilities and emphasised the need for unhindered
essential relief supplies.
As a gesture of goodwill, the release said, "India has decided to
send 800 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected
civilians in the North." This relief will be routed through the Sri
Lankan Government with actual distribution overseen by the United
Nations, senior officials told The Hindu.
On his part, Rajapaksa said the Sri Lankan authorities were making
efforts to provide relief and ensure the welfare of civilians in the
North. And he gave an assurances that "the safety and wellbeing of the
Tamil community in Sri Lanka is being taken care of," the press release
noted.
The joint release also noted that both sides discussed the need to
move towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement, including the
North and that terrorism should be countered with resolve. The Indian
side called for implementation of the 13th Amendment and greater
devolution of powers to the provinces. As for Sri Lanka's Eastern
province, both sides agreed to "further nurture the democratic process"
there.
The Hindu.
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