Bangladesh, India to Exchange Detained Fishermen on Sunday

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain confirmed that the exchange will take place at the International Maritime Border, with the Bangladeshi fishermen, along with their vessels, expected to return to Chattogram on January 6, if all formalities proceed on schedule.

“Provided everything goes as planned, the exchange will happen Sunday,” Hossain told reporters during a visit to the newly renovated DCAB (Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh) Lounge at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also present at the event were Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin, Secretary (East) Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, outgoing DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib, newly elected President AKM Moinuddin, and DCAB members.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard initiated the process of releasing 95 Indian fishermen/crew to the Indian Coast Guard while receiving 90 Bangladeshi fishermen/crew. Additionally, two Bangladeshi fishing vessels held in India and six Indian fishing boats detained in Bangladesh will be exchanged.

This repatriation effort is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Police, and other relevant agencies.

The 95 Indian fishermen were detained in October and November 2024 for fishing in Bangladesh’s waters. On Thursday, they were released from jails in Bagerhat and Patuakhali.

Meanwhile, 78 Bangladeshi fishermen were detained by Indian authorities near the international maritime boundary on December 9, 2024, aboard two vessels, FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5. Twelve other Bangladeshi fishermen, detained on September 12, 2024, after their boat sank due to bad weather, had already been released from Indian jails.

The 78 Bangladeshi fishermen are held in Paradeep, Odisha, while the 12 others are detained in Kakdwip, West Bengal.

During the event, the Foreign Adviser also commended the media for its role in responsible journalism on foreign affairs issues. Both the Foreign Adviser and Foreign Secretary congratulated the newly elected DCAB Executive Committee members, while outgoing President Hasib expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' continued support.