Thu Jan 02 21:09:56 UTC 2025: ## 95 Indian, 90 Bangladeshi Fishermen to be Repatriated in Joint Operation

**New Delhi, Dec 29, 2023** – India and Bangladesh are set to repatriate a total of 185 fishermen in a joint operation on January 5th, easing tensions stemming from ongoing maritime boundary disputes. Ninety-five Indian fishermen, currently detained in Bangladesh, will be handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard for transfer to their Indian counterparts. Simultaneously, 90 Bangladeshi fishermen will be released and returned to Bangladesh.

The repatriation, focusing on humanitarian concerns, follows months of escalating tensions as fishermen from both nations have been arrested for inadvertently crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The Indian government has prioritized the safe return of its citizens.

The dispute over the IMBL, rooted in the 1947 partition of British India, involves complex geographical factors and differing interpretations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ambiguity surrounding the boundary, exacerbated by the Bay of Bengal’s concave coastlines, has led to ongoing conflicts over territorial claims and the exploitation of rich natural resources like fish, oil, and gas. Past attempts at resolution, including a 2014 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, haven’t fully addressed all concerns.

Poverty and overfishing in Bangladeshi waters further complicate the issue, driving fishermen to risk crossing the IMBL in search of better catches. A lack of stringent border enforcement on both sides contributes to frequent violations. While the upcoming repatriation is a positive step, the underlying maritime boundary disputes remain a significant challenge for both nations.

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