Sri Lanka on Sunday released at least 11 Indian fishermen as a special gesture, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for resolving the vexed fishermen issue with a “humane approach”.<\/p>\n

The fishermen issue figured prominently during talks between PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday.<\/p>\n

“We also discussed issues related to fishermen’s livelihood. We agreed that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter,” Modi said in his media statement after meeting Dissanayake.<\/p>\n

“We also emphasised on immediate release of the fishermen and their boats,” he said.<\/p>\n

At least 11 Indian fishermen were released as a special gesture, people familiar with the matter said.<\/p>\n

The fishermen issue is a contentious one in ties between the two sides.<\/p>\n

There have been several alleged incidents in the past of Sri Lankan Navy personnel using force against Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait which is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

At a media briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the fishermen issue was discussed in “considerable detail” between the two sides.<\/p>\n

“As the prime minister said himself during his remarks, there was an emphasis on the need to adopt a humanitarian and constructive approach to cooperation on these issues because these are ultimately issues that impact the livelihood of fishermen on both sides of the Palk Bay,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The prime minister emphasised that at the end of the day, it is a daily issue for the fishermen and that certain actions that have been taken in recent times could be reconsidered,” Misri said.<\/p>\n

The foreign secretary said both sides also emphasised the need to intensify the institutional discussions on the issue.<\/p>\n

“Both sides are in touch with each other on the possibility of convening the next round of fishermen’s association talks between Sri Lanka and India,” he said.<\/p>\n

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)<\/i><\/p>\n

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