Fishermen killing: Krishna asks Lanka not to upset ties

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Taking a serious note of the
killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan
Navy, India on Tuesday told Colombo that use of force against
them should not be repeated and asked it to take a decision
that will not upset bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also directed
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to convene a meeting of the
Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on the issue around
February 15 to discuss the killing of the Indian fishermen
threadbare.
"I hope that one thing is certain and one thing is
common that regardless of whatever the circumstances are use
of force and killing fishermen has to be something part of the
history. It cannot be the present and the future. The
Government of India is fully committed (to safeguard the
rights)," Krishna told reporters after briefing Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi about the talks Rao had with Sri
Lankan authorities on Monday.
He said Indian officials have pointed out to Sri
Lankan authorities that use of force against fishermen who
crossover into the other country's border does not happen even
with countries like Pakistan.
"It has been pointed out to Sri Lankan authorities
that it does not happen with Pakistan or any other country and
why should it happen with Sri Lanka alone," he said.
Noting that India has very cordial and friendly
relations with Sri Lanka, Krishna said, "So it is in this
context that the Sri Lankan Government will have to revisit
the question and take some decision which will not upset the
bilateral relations between our two countries."