India, Bangladesh announce release of fishermen in each other’s custody​on January 2, 2025 at 9:59 pm

India, Bangladesh announce release of fishermen in each other’s custody

​India, Bangladesh announce release of fishermen in each other’s custody India, Bangladesh announce release of fishermen in each other’s custody   

India and Bangladesh on Thursday announced that they have agreed to release the fishermen in each other’s custody after they crossed the border, a move that came amid strain in their bilateral ties.

According to the agreement, Bangladesh will hand over 95 Indian fishermen to Indian authorities on January 5, while India will release 90 Bangladeshi fishermen on the same day.

The mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels has been worked out, keeping in mind the primarily humanitarian and livelihood concerns of the fishing communities on both sides, a government statement said.

The fishermen often face arrest due to accidental crossings of the maritime border while fishing in the disputed waters, the statement by the Indian government said.

“In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities when they happened to inadvertently cross the International Maritime Boundary Line and entered Bangladesh waters,” it said.

The MEA said several Bangladeshi fishermen have also been apprehended by Indian authorities in similar circumstances.

The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.

The ties further nosedived last month after the interim government sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.

Hasina has been living in India after fleeing Bangladesh in August in the face of massive anti-government protests.

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