India and Bangladesh Conduct Coordinated Fishermen Repatriation Operation
In a significant bilateral humanitarian gesture, India and Bangladesh successfully repatriated a total of 151 fishermen to their respective countries through a coordinated exchange operation on Thursday. This carefully planned maritime exercise underscores the ongoing cooperation between the neighboring nations in addressing cross-border fishing incidents.
Details of the Fishermen Exchange
According to official statements, the exchange involved the release of 23 Indian fishermen along with two Indian fishing boats by Bangladeshi authorities. Simultaneously, India freed 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and returned five fishing boats that had been detained. The mutual repatriation was organized as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve such incidents amicably between the two countries.
Coordinated Facilitation by Maritime Authorities
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) worked closely with Bangladeshi authorities to facilitate this humanitarian exchange, with operational support provided by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). A senior defense official confirmed that the exchange took place along the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Bay of Bengal, following established protocols for such operations.
Key aspects of the operational coordination included:
- ICG ships Samudra Pahredar and Vijaya actively participated in the handover process
- Bangladesh coast guard vessels Kamaruzzaman and Sonar Bangla received the fishermen and boats
- Strict adherence to maritime safety protocols during the transfer operations
Reasons Behind the Detentions
The Indian fishermen had been detained by Bangladesh authorities for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line, while the Bangladeshi fishermen were held for fishing illegally within India's Exclusive Economic Zone. Such incidents occasionally occur despite established maritime boundaries, necessitating diplomatic interventions and coordinated repatriation efforts.
This exchange represents another chapter in the ongoing maritime cooperation between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of bilateral mechanisms in resolving fishing-related disputes along shared coastal waters.
