India-Bangladesh to repatriate 185 fishermen in mutual exchange operation

Ministry of External Affairs has announced that 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by Bangladesh authorities to the Bangladesh Coast Guard yesterday, who will transfer them to the Indian Coast Guard on upcoming Sunday.

On the same day, 90 Bangladeshi fishermen will also be released as part of a mutual exchange and repatriation operation between the two countries Coast Guard authorities. The mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels, which will be concluded at sea, has been worked out keeping in mind the primarily humanitarian and livelihood



concerns of fishing communities on both sides.

In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities for inadvertently crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and entering Bangladesh waters. Several Bangladeshi fishermen have been apprehended by Indian authorities under similar circumstances.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India attaches the highest importance to the safety, security, and welfare of its fishermen.