India's premier, Narendra Modi has taken up the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka, the external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
“The government regularly takes up the matter of early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen with the government of Sri Lanka. Our High Commission in Colombo provides humanitarian and legal assistance to the apprehended fishermen," Ms Swaraj was quoted by The Hindu as saying in response to a question by the CPI MP D Raja.
“The number of Indian fishermen and fishing boats in the custody of Sri Lankan authorities as on July 31 is 15 and 117 respectively."
“The government has taken up the fishermen issues at the highest level, including by the Prime Minister, with the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister during his visit to Sri Lanka in May 2017."
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