For the first time in the history of Indo-Sri Lankan negotiations on the fishing dispute troubling both countries, India has agreed to “consider” Sri Lanka's proposal for the joint patrolling of the Palk Strait by naval arms of both countries.  

India has agreed to “work out the modalities for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handing over of apprehended fishermen,” indicates that it agrees to the apprehension and detention of fishermen who cross the International Maritime Boundary Line illegally. The Terms of Reference for the Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWGF) includes “ascertaining possibilities for cooperation on joint patrolling” by the naval arms of the two countries.

The other new commitment on the part of India is to “expedite the transition towards ending the practice of bottom trawling at the earliest.”

It is also significant that the Joint Working Group will include “representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guards and Navies of both countries.”

According to observers, all these shows that both countries are going to take a hard line to put an end to the unhindered poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.