IS IT TO KEEP THE TAMIL PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES DIVIDED?
DO MODI AND SIRISENA REALLY WANT A SOLUTION?
Clearly there are huge economic and livelihood stakes for SriLanka. Also for the Indian Tamilian fisherfolk. Clearly Indian craft venture out into the SL zone in pursuit of catch and sustenance. It is as much an economic and livelihood issue for them as it is for their Tamilian brethren living in Sri Lanka.
The solution lies in addressing both issues at the same time. Since the tonnages involved are not astronomical, the Government of India can consider a annual fee to SL expressly meant for the fishermen communities of northern SL, to allow a certain number of Indian boats to operate in SL waters. These boats can be licensed out by Tamil Nadu authorities by calling for bids. The size of boats can also be limited. Both countries should also team up to enforce the licensing limits are adhered to, and to keep out factory ships from EU, China, Thailand and Taiwan and undertake joint patrolling to outsiders out.
The fisherfolk of the two countries battling it out against each other and the elements all through the year are of the same Tamilian stock. India and Sri Lanka must recognize that irrespective of legal citizenship there are issues of common nationhood involved. The dispute, which ironically enough, is to supposed to be resolved by larger composite nations who view the sub-nationality issues involved with similar prisms. This is not entirely an India-Sri Lanka issue. It is more of an issue concerning the Tamil speaking people living in both countries.
Just as I am not sure whether the Sinhala dominated government is keen on a solution, I am not sure if the Indian government is keen on a solution. Both seem threatened by the unity of Tamil speaking and origin people on both sides of the divide.
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