TN CM Vijay seeks S Jaishankar help to free 25 fishermen detained by Maldives

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to initiate swift diplomatic action to secure the safe return of 25 Indian fishermen detained by the Maldives Coast Guard.

In a letter sent on Thursday, Vijay requested the Ministry of External Affairs to engage directly with authorities in Male to facilitate the prompt repatriation of the crew and the return of their three mechanised vessels.

What happened in the Maldives

The fishermen, all from the coastal district of Thoothukudi in southern Tamil Nadu, were intercepted in the early hours of 13 October while at sea. Maldivian maritime authorities took the 25 men into custody alongside their three mechanised fishing craft.

Vijay noted in his communication that direct intervention by New Delhi would give immediate reassurance to the affected families and the broader coastal community in Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of External Affairs routinely coordinates through diplomatic channels to resolve maritime border incursions and ensure the protection of Indian nationals operating overseas.

Recent maritime detention cases reported by Tamil Nadu

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Vijay addressed a separate letter to Jaishankar regarding 20 Tamil Nadu fishermen and 270 fishing vessels held by the Sri Lankan Navy. Coastal communities in districts such as Ramanathapuram rely heavily on regional fishing grounds, where boundary miscalculations frequently lead to detentions.

New Delhi has consistently maintained active diplomatic dialogues with neighbouring South Asian governments to safeguard the livelihoods and security of Indian fishermen.