T.N. CM Stalin writes to External Affairs Minister seeking permanent steps to prevent fishermen arrests

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging him to utilise appropriate diplomatic channels to convene a Joint Working Group meeting and hold fishermen-level talks to arrive at a permanent solution to the issues faced by Tamil Nadu’s fishermen.

In his letter, Mr. Stalin drew Mr. Jaishankar’s attention to the arrest of 12 fishermen from Rameswaram and the seizure of their mechanised boat by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday. “The continued arrest of our fishermen and the seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan Navy have severely impacted their livelihoods and caused immense hardship and distress among the coastal fishing communities of Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Stalin said.

In view of the above, Mr. Stalin urged the Centre to take up the matter urgently through appropriate diplomatic channels and convene the Joint Working Group meeting and hold fishermen-level talks at the earliest to arrive at a permanent and mutually acceptable solution.

He also pointed out that a total of 248 fishing boats and 62 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, including 18 fishermen apprehended in 2024, were currently under Sri Lankan custody. He urged the Centre to take necessary steps to prevent further arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy and to secure the early release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats.