Amid rising tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Bay, fishermen’s leaders from Sri Lanka’s North Province have called on India and Sri Lanka to undertake joint naval patrolling to stop alleged reef fishing by Tamil Nadu fishermen.
During a meeting on February 27 with Indian Consulate General officials stationed in Jaffna, the fishermen suggested cooperative approaches to address issues regarding the illegal mechanized bottom trawling. The same day, protests broke out in Jaffna targeting Indian fishing incursions after fishermen from Delft, Nainathivu and other vying for tougher action from Indian authorities.
A statement from the Consulate General on March 3 recognised the grievances and démarches such as restarting bilateral talks and setting up maritime markers for clearer boundary delineation. The fishermen denied having any political objective, universally accusing their protests as being solely for their livelihood. 
Political commentator A. Jathindra has also suggested of setting up Indo-Lanka Naval Task Force and declaring Katchatheevu as joint operational base, He also suggested leasing Katchatheevu to India by comparing with Chinese lease of Hambantota.
Although historically, India has been reluctant on joint patrol, talks on cooperation were begun in 2016. However, tangible progress remains elusive. Against the rising backdrop of tensions, both Countries may be just in need of Sudden Diplomatic Interventions to resolve the Long Standing Dispute.
