With incidents of Indian fishermen being targeted allegedly by Sri Lankan navy in Palk Straits on the rise, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to jointly evolve a mechanism to resolve the issue.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollogama, who discussed a wide range of subjects during their meeting in New York on Wednesday, agreed to task their relevant departments to evolve the mechanism.

Officials said that Mukherjee had expressed concern over incidents of Sri Lankan navy targeting Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary between the two countries.

The two also discussed the situation in Sri Lanka in the context of the provincial elections but no further details were available.

Mukherjee also called on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and discussed various global issues including climate change and food security.

Ban, officials said, expressed appreciation for India's long standing and consistent support for the UN peacekeeping operations. India is one of the leading contributors of peace-keeping troop.

Mukherjee also had extensive discussions with the UN General Assembly President the Rev Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann on the issues related to the world body.

He renewed invitation to Brockmann to visit India and the President recalled his long standing admiration for Mahatma Gandhi and his technique of non violence.

During his meeting with Nepalese Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Mukherjee reiterated India's willingness to help the country in any field that the government and people of the country desired.

The two ministers also discussed evolving situation in Nepal after formation of the new government and Yadav briefed Mukherjee on the work being done regarding a new constitution to be drafted by the Constituent Assembly.

They also reviewed the flood situation and damage sustained by the collapse of the Kosi Barrage.