Colombo: Armed Sri Lankan fishermen have allegedly abducted seven fishermen from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, demanding a ransom from their families, local media reported.
The fishermen from Pamban town of Tamil Nadu were abducted by the Sri Lankan fishermen when setting out to sea late on Wednesday, Xinhua reported on Friday.
The Sri Lankans called the relatives of the abducted fishermen on their mobile phones, asking for money.
The amount of ransom was not disclosed by the media, quoting the abductors as saying that it could be "negotiable".
Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka have crossed border, resulting in arrests and boats confiscation.
Talks are held between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen associations in an attempt to defuse tensions.
Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here on Friday to participate in the third round of a high-level bilateral meet and lay the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island nation next week.
