Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said India's diplomatic efforts helped secure the release of 57 fishing boats that had been detained in Pakistan.
He said that the boats, which left Pakistan yesterday, would be reaching Porbandar on March 23.
"Pakistan had 57 boats belonging to Indian fishermen with it. Due to the diplomatic efforts of the government and that of the Home Ministry, we have succeeded in getting those boats released. A similar thing had happened in 2003-2004 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji's government," Singh said at a press conference after Golden Jubilee celebrations of BSF at the Wagah Border.
"Some boats were damaged, so the Home Ministry has allocated Rs. 1.27 crores for that. The boats have left Pakistan on March 21, and will reach Porbandar on March 23," he added.
On Saturday, Pakistan released 57 boats belonging to Indian fishermen following a visit of top diplomats from New Delhi. The boats were held by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) for over a year after the fishermen had allegedly crossed the international maritime border in the Arabian Sea.
