India and Sri Lanka have reiterated their joint commitment to fight terrorism with resolve; together with Sri Lanka’s repeated emphasis that President Rajapaksa and his Government were firmly committed to a political process that would lead to a sustainable solution to the situation in Sri Lanka.

This understanding was reached in discussion that the President’s Special Envoy, Senior Presidential Advisor Mr. Basil Rajapaksa MP, had with India’s External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, National Security Advisor Mr. M. K. Narayan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon on October 26.

Mr. Basil Rajapaksa’s visit took place in the wake of the politically motivated protests that were taking place in Tamil Nadu led by TN Chief Minister Karunanidhi, in moves to pressurize the Indian Government to distance itself from support to Sri Lanka in the country’s fight against the terrorism of the LTTE, and claims being made of a humanitarian crisis involving the civilian Tamil population in the North of Sri Lanka, due to the ongoing military operations to disarm terrorists from Sri Lanka, who remain a threat to both Sri Lanka and India.

The success of the negotiations carried out by Special Envoy Basil Rajapaksa saw the further strengthening of relations between Sri Lanka and India on the key issue of the ongoing military operations to defeat terrorism and the expansion of democracy in Sri Lanka. This countered the threat by Tamil Nadu politicians led by the DMK to resign their seats in the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, thereby threatening the survival of the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Sigh, over alleged inaction to act against Sri Lanka.

In the event, once the understanding reached between the two countries was made known to the DMK leader, he did a major political retreat by withdrawing the threat of TN MPs to resigning their seats in the Indian Parliament.

Fisheries

The negotiations between Mr. Rajapaksa and the key Indian personnel also resulted in an agreement reached on the contentious issue of Indian fisherman found in Sri Lankan waters, which was also an issue raised by the DMK-led protesters, and which was also mentioned in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent statement on the developments between Sri Lanka and India.

As part of these practical arrangements on fisheries, it was agreed that Indian fishermen will not venture into areas designated and identified by the Government of Sri Lanka as sensitive areas along the Sri Lankan coastline and their intimation to he Government of India. It was also agreed that Indian fishing vessels would carry valid registration/permits and the fishermen would have on person valid identity cards issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Following are the texts of the India – Sri Lanka Joint Press Release following the mission of Special Envoy Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, and the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements

INDIA-SRI LANKA JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Keeping in mind the close bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka, President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa sent as his Special Envoy Honourable Basil Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka to visit New Delhi, on 26th October 2008. During his visit, the Sri Lankan Special Envoy held discussions with External Affairs Minister, National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary.

The Indian side appreciated deeply the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to send his Special Envoy. The discussions were positive and constructive and centered around a range of issues.

India conveyed its concern at the humanitarian situation in the northern part of Sri Lanka, especially of the civilians and internally displaced persons caught in the hostilities and emphasised the need for unhindered essential relief supplies. Mr. Rajapaksa briefed the Indian authorities of the efforts by the Sri Lanka Government to afford relief and ensure the welfare of the civilian population in the North. He assured that the safety and wellbeing of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka is being taken care of.

As a gesture of goodwill, India has decided to send around 800 tonness of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the North. The Government of Sri Lanka will facilitate the delivery. Both sides agreed to consult and cooperate with each other in addressing these humanitarian issues.

Both sides discussed the need to move towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island including in the North. Both sides agreed that terrorism should be countered with resolve. The Indian side called for implementation of the 13th Amendment and greater devolution of powers to the provinces. Mr. Basil Rajapaksa emphasized that the President of Sri Lanka and his Government were firmly committed to a political process that would lead to a sustainable solution.

Both sides agreed to further nurture the democratic process in the Eastern Province. Mr. Rajapaksa briefed the Indian side of the large development effort underway in the Eastern Province.

With regard to issues relating to fishermen, in view of the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions involved, both sides agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bona fide Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and to continue discussions on the proposed MOU on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries.

Discussions in New Delhi during Mr. Rajapaksa's visit were characterized by a spirit of constructive engagement on both sides. Both Governments will remain in close touch.

New Delhi
26th October 2008


INDIA-SRI LANKA JOINT STATEMENT ON FISHING ARRANGEMENTS


Keeping in mind the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of the fishermen issue, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). This was agreed to during the visit to New Delhi on 26th October 2008 of Honourable Basil Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and Senior Adviser to the President of Sri Lanka.

As part of these practical arrangements, following the designation by the Government of Sri Lanka of sensitive areas along the Sri Lankan coastline and their intimation to the Government of India, Indian fishing vessels will not venture into these identified sensitive areas. Further, there will be no firing on Indian fishing vessels.

It was agreed that Indian fishing vessels would carry valid registration/permit and the fishermen would have on person valid identity cards issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

India and Sri Lanka have agreed to continue with their discussions, initiated in 2005, on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries.

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New Delhi
26th October, 2008