In a significant development, 23 Indian fishermen detained in October 2025 for entering Bangladesh’s territorial waters near the Mongla Port have been released. The fishermen hail from Andhra Pradesh and were apprehended while fishing off the East Coast.
According to Vasupalli Janakiram, President of the East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India, the documentation process for their release was completed with the assistance of senior officials from both countries.
The incident took place in Bangladesh’s Bagerhat Jail, where the fishermen were held until their release on Tuesday. The exact reasons leading to their detention are not yet clear, but it is believed that they may have unintentionally crossed into Bangladesh’s territorial waters.
This release marks a positive step towards strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, particularly in the context of maritime issues. Both countries share a long coastline along the Bay of Bengal and frequent incidents of fishermen from either side inadvertently crossing into each other’s territorial waters have been reported in the past.
