Fri Jan 03 02:32:59 UTC 2025: ## India and Bangladesh to Exchange Arrested Fishermen Amid Strained Ties
**NEW DELHI/DHAKA** – In a gesture of goodwill amid recently strained bilateral relations, India and Bangladesh announced Thursday a joint agreement to release a total of 185 fishermen currently held in each other’s custody. The exchange, slated for January 5th, will see India repatriate 95 Bangladeshi fishermen and Bangladesh return 90 Indian fishermen.
The agreement prioritizes the humanitarian concerns of fishing communities who frequently find themselves arrested after inadvertently crossing the disputed maritime border during fishing operations. Both governments acknowledged the accidental nature of these crossings.
The positive development comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the two nations. Recent months have seen increased concerns in India regarding attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Furthermore, a diplomatic note from the interim government requesting the extradition of exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India further exacerbated the strained relationship. Hasina has been residing in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August amidst widespread anti-government protests. Despite these tensions, the agreement to exchange fishermen offers a small, albeit significant, sign of potential de-escalation.
First Piper 