Indian media has reported that the five Tamil Nadu fishermen who were given the death sentence by the Sri Lankan court will be transferred to India.

Subramaniam Swamy today posted a message on Twitter stating that Modi had spoken to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that the two had agreed to transfer the fishermen to an Indian jail.

"Namo and Rajapaksa spoke on the phone yesterday&agreed to process papers & transfer 5 fishermen convicted to Indian jail. I am vindicated!," Swamy has tweeted.

India media reports suggested that the fishermen could be transferred to India, but The Hindu reported that the final decision is yet to be taken. 

A major diplomatic controversy broke out after a Colombo court sentenced five fishermen – Emerson, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath and J Langlet – to death on 30 October after they were convicted of smuggling drugs.

The fishermen were arrested on 28 November 2011, by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of narcotics smuggling.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo is reportedly set to file an appeal against the death sentences in the Sri Lankan apex court on Monday.