'Not releasing fishermen may cast shadow on India-Lanka ties'

Asking Sri Lanka to deal with the issue of release of Indian fishermen on humanitarian basis, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said otherwise it will cast a shadow on relations between the two countries.
Responding to a Calling Attention Motion on repeated attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Khurshid said 106 Indian fishermen were currently in the custody of Sri Lanka and said there should be a humanitarian solution to the issue and government has been taking it up strongly with them.
"Issues that must be resolved and issues that mean a lot emotionally, politically and socially to our people are issues resolving which would help our relationship with them.

"And if these issues are not resolved, it is inevitable that they will cast a pawn, a shadow upon what we have been trying to do," Khurshid said.
Making a statement on the issue, he said, the government attached highest importance to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen.
"Both countries agreed that use of force could not be justified under any circumstances, and reiterated in this regard the importance of extending humane treatment to all fishermen," he said.

Khurshid said effective steps are being taken to address the issue of early release of 106 Indian fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody.

He said quasi-judicial proceedings are being taken to ensure their early release and admitted that elections in the northern province of Sri Lanka had delayed their release as there was pressure to act against fishermen of other countries.
He also suggested a joint meeting of fishermen to both sides to resolve the issue and said the same is being worked out with the help of Sri Lankan government.