New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Thursday began an exchange of fishermen detained by authorities on either side, the foreign ministry said. The process will be complete with the mutual release and repatriation of fishermen on both sides, set to take place on Sunday, January 5, at the international maritime border.
The development comes amid strained ties between the two countries over the communal tensions in Bangladesh since the ouster of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Earlier today, 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by Bangladesh authorities to the Bangladesh Coast Guard for handing over to the Indian Coast Guard on January 5, 2025. On the same day, 90 Bangladesh fishermen will also be released in a mutual release and repatriation operation that will be concluded at sea between the respective Coast Guard authorities,” read a communication issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities when they crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line and entered Bangladesh waters, the ministry said. Several Bangladeshi fishermen have also been apprehended by Indian authorities in similar circumstances.
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During October and November, 95 Indian fishermen/crew members were held an six fishing boats containing 95 fishermen/crew were seized by Bangladeshi authorities for crossing the international maritime boundary. The fishermen were held in Bagerhat and Patuakhali District Jails.
Meanwhile, 78 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew aboard two fishing vessels, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5 were detained by Indian authorities in Paradeep, Odisha, on December 9. Twelve more Bangladeshi fishermen were held in Kakdwip, West Bengal.
“The mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels has been worked out keeping in mind the primarily humanitarian and livelihood concerns of fishing communities on both sides,” the MEA said.
Bangladesh foreign affairs advisor Md Touhid Hossain said, “If everything (formalities) goes as per schedule, the exchanges will take place on Sunday.”
