Breaking news:
PM Modi Emphasizes Harmony in Eid Greetings, Rahul Gandhi Calls for Peace | Four Chinese Men Detained After Fleeing Bangkok Collapse Site With Documents | PM Modi Makes First Visit to RSS Headquarters Since Taking Office | Trump Says He’s Seriously Considering a Third Term
Logo

India and Bangladesh to Release Detained Fishermen in Rare Humanitarian Gesture

India and Bangladesh agree to exchange detained fishermen, focusing on humanitarian concerns despite strained bilateral ties 

03-01-2025
image
   

India and Bangladesh announced on Thursday an agreement to release fishermen detained for crossing the maritime border, a move aimed at addressing humanitarian and livelihood concerns. The decision comes at a time when bilateral ties between the two nations remain strained.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh will release 95 Indian fishermen to Indian authorities on January 5, while India will reciprocate by releasing 90 Bangladeshi fishermen on the same day. The exchange will include the return of the fishermen's vessels, according to an official statement.

The fishermen are often arrested after unintentionally crossing the maritime boundary while fishing in disputed waters. "In recent months, several Indian fishermen were detained by Bangladeshi authorities after inadvertently crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line into Bangladeshi waters," the Indian government stated. Similarly, Indian authorities have detained Bangladeshi fishermen under comparable circumstances.

The exchange is being facilitated with a focus on the humanitarian and livelihood challenges faced by fishing communities on both sides, the statement added.

Relations between the two neighbors have been tense since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed power in Bangladesh. India has expressed concerns over increasing attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.

The diplomatic rift deepened last month after Bangladesh's interim government issued a formal request to India for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina fled to India in August following widespread anti-government protests and has been living there since.

This agreement to release fishermen serves as a rare collaborative gesture amid growing challenges in India-Bangladesh relations.

Image

Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs: Which Countries Will Be Hit the Harde

US President Donald Trump is set to impose new tariffs on April 2, targeting countries with high tra

Read More
Image

China, Japan, and South Korea Unite to Counter US Tariffs, Explore Trade Pact

China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to collaborate on supply chains and trade strategies as th

Read More
Image

Trump's ‘Balanced but Firm’ Trade Move: What It Means for India Ahead of

US President Donald Trump plans to introduce new reciprocal tariffs, citing unfair trade practices a

Read More