Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa called on the Indian Prime Minister to issue a "robust diplomatic response" to Sri Lanka’s latest arrest of Indian fishermen this weekend.
Noting that she had repeatedly written to the prime minister on the issue, Ms Jayalalithaa said the "inadequate response of the Union Government on such incidents of apprehension and detention of our fishermen has emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy to harass the Tamil Nadu fishermen while exercising their livelihood rights to fish in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay."
"I request you to put in place a strong and robust diplomatic response registering India's disapproval in the strongest possible terms of the belligerent actions of the Sri Lankan Navy," she added.
Her latest letter comes after the arrest of 28 Indian fishermen in separate incidents, which saw three vessels also impounded on Saturday.
"I hope that there will now be a decisive shift in the stance of the Government of India towards handling this question under your leadership. The Government of India should now find a lasting and permanent solution to this long pending and highly emotive issue which also carries grave security implications for our state," Ms Jayalalithaa said.
Noting that she had repeatedly written to the prime minister on the issue, Ms Jayalalithaa said the "inadequate response of the Union Government on such incidents of apprehension and detention of our fishermen has emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy to harass the Tamil Nadu fishermen while exercising their livelihood rights to fish in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay."
"I request you to put in place a strong and robust diplomatic response registering India's disapproval in the strongest possible terms of the belligerent actions of the Sri Lankan Navy," she added.
Her latest letter comes after the arrest of 28 Indian fishermen in separate incidents, which saw three vessels also impounded on Saturday.
"I hope that there will now be a decisive shift in the stance of the Government of India towards handling this question under your leadership. The Government of India should now find a lasting and permanent solution to this long pending and highly emotive issue which also carries grave security implications for our state," Ms Jayalalithaa said.