Secure release of 47 fishermen apprehended by Lankan Navy: TN CM tells Centre
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to expeditiously secure the release of 47 Tamil Nadu fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy.
Drawing the central minister's immediate attention to the apprehension of 47 fishermen, who set sail from Ramanathapuram on five fishing boats earlier in the day, the chief minister said the incident caused significant distress within the fishing community, spreading fear and uncertainty across the coastal districts.
"It is pertinent to highlight that this is the first instance in 2025 where such a large number of fishermen have been apprehended on a single day," Stalin said in a letter addressed to Jaishankar.
Repeated incidents such as these not only jeopardised the safety and livelihoods of our fishermen but also severely undermined their morale and confidence in pursuing their traditional occupation, he added.
As of today, a total of 242 fishing boats and 74 fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody. "Given the seriousness of the situation, I earnestly request your urgent intervention to address this matter with the authorities concerned and also to secure the expeditious release of the apprehended fishermen and their boats," the CM said in the letter.
Also, he urged Jaishankar to revive the Joint Working Group and to take all diplomatic efforts to ensure that such incidents did not recur.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
