India and Bangladesh have begun the process of mutual release and repatriation of 185 fishermen in each other’s custody. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release that the countries will be exchanging the fishermen detained by them for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and entering either country’s waters on 5 January 2025.

On Thursday, the Bangladeshi authorities handed over 95 Indian fisherman to the Bangladesh Coast Guard for handing over to the Indian Coast Guard on 5 January.

On the same day, 90 Bangladesh fishermen will also be released in a mutual release and repatriation operation that will be concluded at sea between the respective Coast Guard authorities, the Ministry stated.

It also added that the mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels has been worked out keeping in mind the primarily humanitarian and livelihood concerns of fishing communities on both sides.