India-Bangladesh CBM: Fisherman to be released

India and Bangladesh on Thursday announced release of each other’s fishermen as a Confidence Building Measure amid low in ties over the last five months. However, a proposed visit by Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka will cast shadow over tenuous ties.

In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities when they happened to inadvertently cross the International Maritime Boundary Line and entered Bangladesh waters. Several Bangladesh fishermen have also been apprehended by Indian authorities in similar circumstances, officials informed.

“The Government of India attaches the highest importance to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. To this end, it has worked assiduously to secure the release of our fishermen from Bangladesh custody,” according to a MEA statement.


As many as 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by Bangladesh authorities to the Bangladesh Coast Guard for handing over to the Indian Coast Guard on January 5, 2025. 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 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, officials said.

Meanwhile, amid efforts by Bangladesh to improve ties with Pakistan, Dar plans to visit Dhaka next month in what will be the first Ministerial visit by Pakistan to Bangladesh in many years. The visit will focus on defence and trade ties amid efforts by Islamabad to counterbalance India regionally.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Army Chief, who hailed Dhaka’s ties with India and emphasised on the political process in his country, is contemplating to visit India in near future to mend the relationship.