Bangladesh, India to exchange detained fishermen on January 5

Bangladesh and India are set to exchange the detained 185 fishermen--95 Indians and 90 Bangladeshis--on January 5.

The process of exchanging 95 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh and 90 Bangladeshi fishermen detained in India has been finalized, said a press note.

According to the press note issued by thr Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the fishermen of the two countries will be exchanged in international waters in the Bay of Bengal on January 5. The decision was taken after discussions between both the countries.

The press release said that the fishermen were detained for violating international maritime zone. The matter was resolved after discussions between the two sides.

A total of 78 Bangladeshis were detained on December 9 and kept on Para Island in Odisha. The other 12 fishermen were detained in September when their trawler sank in Indian waters. They have been kept on Kakdwip near Kolkata, added the press note.

On the other hand, six Indian trawlers entered Bangladesh waters in September and October, leading to the detention of 95 Indian sailors and the confiscation of their trawlers.

Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain while visiting the recently renovated DCAB (Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh) Lounge at the foreign ministry, informed journalists about the detainee exchange.