Photo : BSS

BAGERHAT, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 128 Bangladeshi fishermen have returned home following the completion of a bilateral exchange of detained fishermen between Bangladesh and India, carried out under the supervision of the coast guards of both countries.

Bangladesh Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the development on Friday afternoon.

He said the Bangladesh Navy had earlier detained 23 Indian fishermen along with two Indian fishing boats on October 18 and 23, 2025, for illegally fishing in Bangladeshi waters near the Bangladesh-India international maritime boundary.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard detained 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized five Bangladeshi fishing boats on November 16, 17, 19, and 30, 2025, on charges of fishing in Indian territorial waters.

Following diplomatic efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides agreed to exchange the detained fishermen under a bilateral arrangement. As part of the agreement, Bangladesh handed over the 23 Indian fishermen and two fishing boats to the Indian Coast Guard on Thursday at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), under the supervision of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

At the same time, the Bangladesh Coast Guard received 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and five fishing boats from Indian custody.

The returned Bangladeshi fishermen were formally reunited with their families at the Bangladesh Coast Guard Base Mongla at 11:00 am today, along with their fishing boats.