India and Bangladesh to exchange 185 released fishermen from prisons by January 5

Bangladesh and India to Exchange 185 Detained Fishermen on January 5

Bangladesh plans to transfer 95 Indian fishermen, recently released from jails, to Indian authorities, while India is set to return 90 Bangladeshi fishermen in a reciprocal repatriation effort scheduled to conclude on January 5.

"The exchange of fishermen detained in India and Bangladesh will take place on Sunday, provided everything proceeds as scheduled," said Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain during a visit to the renovated DCAB Lounge at the foreign ministry in Dhaka. According to officials, 90 Bangladeshi fishermen remain in Indian custody, while 95 Indian fishermen are held in Bangladesh for crossing the maritime boundary between the two nations.

Addressing the newly elected executive committee of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, Hossain urged journalists covering foreign affairs to act responsibly. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and outgoing DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib also spoke at the event, joined by newly elected President AKM Moinuddin and Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard announced it has initiated the transfer of 95 Indian fishermen and their vessels to the Indian Coast Guard while receiving 90 Bangladeshi fishermen and their vessels from India. This exchange, facilitated by various government agencies, is set to conclude on January 5, with Bangladeshi fishermen expected to return to Chattogram by the afternoon of January 6.

The reciprocal repatriation also includes two Bangladeshi fishing vessels detained in India and six Indian fishing boats held in Bangladesh. These efforts reflect coordinated work by Bangladesh's ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Shipping, Fisheries, and Livestock, as well as the Coast Guard and local authorities.

During October-November 2024, Bangladeshi authorities detained 95 Indian fishermen and six boats for entering Bangladesh’s waters. Meanwhile, 78 Bangladeshi fishermen aboard two vessels were detained by Indian authorities near the maritime boundary on December 9, 2024. Twelve others, whose boat sank in September 2024, had already been released.

Currently, 78 Bangladeshi fishermen are held in Paradeep, Odisha, and 12 others are detained in Kakdwip, West Bengal, under Indian Coast Guard supervision.