The death of an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu, following a boat capsize during a confrontation with the Sri Lankan Navy, has intensified the longstanding fishing dispute between the two nations.
The incident occurred on August 1 when Sri Lankan patrol units attempted to apprehend Indian trawlers accused of illegal fishing. New Delhi has summoned a senior Sri Lankan diplomat to express a “strong protest” and demanded accountability. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, affecting both Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen’s livelihoods. Calls for renewed bilateral talks to resolve the issue have intensified amidst these rising tensions.