A fisherman with a net along the Palk Strait, the centre of the India–Sri Lanka fishing dispute. (Express File Photo)The Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday arrested nine Indian fishermen and seized their trawler for allegedly fishing illegally in the island nation’s waters near Talaimannar after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).The fishermen were apprehended during an operation after over 50 Indian trawlers were allegedly found fishing in Sri Lankan waters south of Iranativu. The arrested fishermen and their boat have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal proceedings.The arrests come amid continuing tensions over the long-standing fishermen dispute between India and Sri Lanka. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, 128 Indian fishermen have been arrested and 18 trawlers seized so far this year over alleged poaching.The dispute centres on Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram coast, crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line into Sri Lankan waters near Talaimannar and Katchatheevu in search of richer fish stocks.During Sri Lanka’s civil war, enforcement in these waters was relatively lax, allowing Indian trawlers to fish with few arrests. However, after the war ended in 2009, Sri Lanka stepped up maritime patrols, leading to frequent arrests as Indian fishermen continued crossing the boundary amid declining fish catches on the Indian side.Also Read | Explained: What is the conflict between Lankan navy and Indian fishermen?The Palk Strait, which separates Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, remains a recurring flashpoint, with fishermen from both countries frequently detained for inadvertently crossing maritime boundaries.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram