Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the Indian government is committed to finding a permanent solution to the issue of attacks and arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Adding that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also of the view that the arrests should not be taking place, Sitharaman said,
“The Centre is committed to find a permanent solution to the problem. Talks are on with Lankan officials… We are constructively working for a long term solution to the issue.”
Sitharaman was speaking in Tamil Nadu, where she was meeting with various trade bodies ahead of the Union Budget.
Her comments came as Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote a second letter to the Indian Prime Minister last week, calling for a “long-term, permanent solution to the problem and also to put in place a strong and robust diplomatic response”.