India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha that 141 Indian fishermen are currently in Sri Lankan custody, with 45 under trial and 96 serving sentences for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Despite the arrests, the Indian government has successfully secured the release and repatriation of 351 fishermen this year through diplomatic efforts. An additional 12 fishermen have been released and will be repatriated shortly.

Singh said that the safety and welfare of Indian fishermen remain a top priority for the government. Issues related to their release and the return of seized fishing boats have been raised at the highest levels, including during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister and Sri Lanka’s new political leadership in October.

Regular bilateral discussions, such as the Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries, continue to address concerns. The most recent JWG meeting was held on October 29, 2024, where both sides discussed challenges faced by fishermen from both countries.