RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-558
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 04/12/2025
CASES OF BORDER CROSSING BY FISHERMEN
558. SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of fishermen from Gujarat released by Pakistan during the last three years, year-wise;
(b) whether any pending cases of mistaken border crossing by Indian fishermen have been taken up at bilateral forums; and
(c) if so, the outcome thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) As per available information, the number of fishermen from Gujarat released by Pakistan during the last three years is mentioned below:
Table Title
| Year |
No. of fishermen |
| 2025 (till date) |
18 |
| 2024 |
Nil |
| 2024 |
432 |
Government of India attaches high priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. As soon as the instances of apprehension of Indian fishermen by Pakistani authorities are reported, immediate steps are taken by the High Commission of India in Islamabad to seek consular access from the Government of Pakistan. During consular access, officials from the High Commission of India visit the Indian/ believed-to-be-Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails to ascertain their well-being and distribute daily-use welfare items. All possible assistance, including legal assistance, is extended to the Indian fishermen for their early release and repatriation, along with the release of their boats. The issue is consistently raised with the Government of Pakistan, underlining that the issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.
As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2661 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014.