CM Stalin Urges Centre to Ensure Release of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Detained by Sri Lankan Navy

Quick Summary

• Tamil Nadu chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar to intervene diplomatically following the arrest of 14 more fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on August 7, 2025.
• The arrest marks the 17th such incident in 2025, with ongoing concerns over arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and detentions by Sri Lankan authorities.
• Mr.Stalin stated that currently, 237 fishing boats and 80 fishermen are in Sri Lankan custody, depriving them of their livelihood and customary fishing rights.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen highlight longstanding tensions between India and Sri Lanka regarding maritime boundaries and fishing rights in shared waters. While these incidents cause important economic distress to affected families in Tamil Nadu, they also pose diplomatic challenges for maintaining peaceful bilateral relations between the two nations. The Chief Minister’s appeal urges greater federal engagement on this issue at an international level and reinforces calls for a sustainable resolution to prevent recurring disputes over regional fishing zones.Read more: Sri Lankan Navy arrests 14 fishermen from Ramanathapuram