The problem of the Tamil Nadu fishermen with respect to Sri Lanka has always existed since many years now. Such fisherman communities generally come to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line of the adjacent country.
The Tamil Nadu’ fisherman community comes from villages like Rameswaram and Pamban Island, where they generally indulge in fishing activities in Palk Bay that contains minerals. They also have some traditional rights for the island known as Katchatheevu. However, the neighboring country perceives crossing this line as poaching. Many arrests are made by the Navy, and their boats are impounded. Bottom trawling done by Indians adversely affects not only the seabed but also Tamil fishers in Sri Lanka. Important facts regarding this issue include:
- The Palk Bay separates both nations within just 30-40km of distance.
- Indians deploy mechanized trawlers, whereas the Sri Lankan side uses conventional methods.
- Any arrest results in heavy fines and imprisonment.
History of the Dispute
Ever since 1974, the Katchatheevu island has been transferred to Sri Lanka by India under the rule of Indira Gandhi. Tamil Nadu was not completely happy with the process of transferring it. The 1976 Maritime Boundary Agreement provided more details on the IMBL line. Neither of the fishing communities had their free access anymore. Tamil Nadu has demanded the island back since many years ago. But successive governments have always promised. The matter gained more urgency amid Sri Lanka’s civil unrest and after 2009.
Latest Developments in the Matter of Fishermen’s Arrest:
As per the report, in the year 2025, there were 172 fishermen and 18 boats caught by Sri Lanka. The number of arrests made of the fishermen in 2024 was much higher than that in 2025, with a figure of 526 arrests. As of early 2026, there are 73 fishermen and 251 boats from Tamil Nadu in detention.
* Numbers shows some progress numerically, but no solution as of yet.
* At start of 2026, 73 fishermen and 251 boats being held in Sri Lanka.
* CM of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin has brought this matter to light through various letters.
* On April 8, 2026, arrest of 10 fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan Navy. .
Failed Policies of the Modi Government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime reveals that the issue of the Tamil Nadu fishermen issue related to Sri Lanka hasn’t been resolved permanently. As part of his campaign during the 2024 election campaign, PM Modi promised to release boats detained by Sri Lanka and conduct joint working group meetings to resolve issues related to fishing.
Some of the criticism against the Modi government is as follows:
Inaction despite several pleas: Stalin approached Modi regarding the boats and talks of the island in October 2025 and January 2026; however, nothing much happened.
Failure to provide an alternative: While promises were made regarding training people about deep-sea fishing and using new boats, very little was achieved.
Inaction on the diplomatic front: Despite all efforts and even high-level meetings, Sri Lanka continues with aggressive policing and patrolling. It raises doubts about the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy of Modi.
In its November 2025 editorial, The Hindu pointed out the need to formulate a liberal aid program to get away from destructive acts.
Human Cost and Tense Diplomacy Connected to the Incident Involving Fishermen from Tamil Nadu in Sri Lanka
Every single capture makes life of the fishermen and their family destroyed in addition to straining relations between both countries as the two parties engage in diplomatic negotiations at the highest level. Every single time, the families become bankrupt due to the hefty penalties that might be incurred by the fishermen and amount to roughly 11.80 lakhs, ₹3-4 lakhs, or even lose the boat worth a few lakhs’ rupees. Moreover, some fishermen undergo torture when imprisoned in Sri Lanka or suffer imprisonment. Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen find themselves with reduced numbers of fish owing to the practice of bottom trawling. This issue affects the relationship between people at the grassroots level in the Palk Bay area despite diplomatic negotiations between India and Sri Lanka.
To me, the fishermen problem in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka shows clearly how there is a void of policies under the Modi administration, whereby campaign talk about Katchatheevu has not yielded any tangible benefits. For sustainable solution, I believe there need to be three solid pillars, which are strict monitoring of IMBL through joint patrols, adequate funding from the centre for switching to deep sea fishing with modern boats, and a fresh bilateral agreement on fishing. The fishermen should never be used as political pawns. Otherwise, the ongoing human disaster will continue. Is there really any basis for claiming that India has strong relationships with its neighbours when its own Tamil Nadu fishermen continue to be at risk from constant arrest and detention? And also Would the future central government take care of these hardworking fishermen as important citizens or as vote banks?
