Pakistan to free 218 Indians caught fishing in territorial waters
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 January 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan to free 218 Indians caught fishing in territorial waters, 6 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a3f81c.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 06, 2017
Indian fishermen who were arrested after allegedly straying into Pakistan's territorial waters in 2014 (file photo).
Pakistan on January 5 began releasing 218 Indian fishermen who had strayed into its waters, with officials calling it a "goodwill gesture" aimed at easing tensions with its neighbor.
The men were arrested more than a year ago, accused of entering Pakistani waters in an area of the Arabian Sea where the border is disputed.
A further 100 fishermen remain in prison, waiting for the Indian High Commission to confirm their nationality as they serve sentences of at least six months each, officials said.
Dozens of Indian and Pakistani fishermen are captured in the Arabian Sea each year after straying across maritime borders.
They often languish in prison even after serving their sentences, as poor diplomatic relations between the nuclear-armed rivals hampers the resolution of their cases.
Relations between India and Pakistan have plummeted since a deadly attack on an Indian army base in the disputed Kashmir region in September that New Delhi blamed on the Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Since then, intermittent talks on a range of issues, including their disputed maritime border, have stalled.
In the past, gestures such as the release of imprisoned fishermen have helped to improve the atmosphere for a resumption of talks.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
