Wagah: As many as 57 fishing boats, which were seized of the Pakistani authorities, have been returned to India by the maritime agencies of the neighbouring country, and these will reach the Indian coast on Monday evening.
“57 Indian boats were in Pakistan custody. Our government has been successful in ensuring their release,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said at a BSF function here.
A statement issued by the Home Ministry in New Delhi said the government had diplomatic talks with Pakistan for release and return of 57 Indian fishing boats.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was entrusted to complete the mission of repair and return of boats in a time bound manner.
The MHA arranged the movement of an eight-member team as proposed by the Government of Gujarat to Pakistan for inspection/repair/return of the boats on March 10, 2015, the statement said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the High Commission of India in Islamabad, with the help of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), arranged for inspection and return of the boats to India.
After several rounds of discussions with Pakistan, the Indian team including representatives of the High Commission inspected the boats.
The High Commission projected the fund requirement of Rs 1.27 crore for the repair and return of the boats which was completed on March 19. (PTI)
