INDIAN COAST GUARD FACILITATES REPATRIATION OF INDIAN FISHERMEN FROM BANGLADESH

By a staff reporter: Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India approved repatriation of 47 Indian fishermen and three (03) Indian fishing boats (IFBs) detained in Bangladesh. The repatriation operation was successfully facilitated by the Indian Coast Guard in coordination with the West Bengal State Govt on 09 Dec 2025. The exchange took place along International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in Bay of Bengal.

​The repatriation process was part of reciprocal arrangement, wherein India also released 32 Bangladeshi fishermen along with 01 Bangladesh fishing boat apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard for illegal fishing within Indian EEZ. The Bangladesh fishermen were safely handed over to the to the Bangladesh Coast Guard ships BCGS Kamaruzzaman & Sadhin Bangla by the Indian Coast Guard Ship Vijaya.

​The repatriated Indian fishermen along with three IFBs were brought to Fazerganj, West Bengal by Indian Coast Guard Ship Vijaya and handed over to the West Bengal State Administration by ICGS Frazerganj on 10 Dec 25. This mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels has been worked out by Ministry of External Affairs, GoI, keeping in mind the humanitarian and livelihood concerns of fishing communities. Indian Coast Guard has apprehended six BFB illegally operating in Indian EEZ in last three months.

Although, Indian Coast Guard units are engaged in regular shepherding of IFBs at IMBL, the boats continue to cross the IMBL using shallow waters. In last one year, more than 300 IFBs have been shepherded back to Indian waters by ICG units at IMBL. In addition, ICG units are regularly conducting Community Interaction Programme (CIP) at all possible fishing villages with fishermen community to discourage them from crossing IMBL in coordination with local fisheries and Marine Police reps.
 
The crossing of IMBL and fishing in foreign waters by IFB without valid documents is a serious offence and has grave consequences associated with it. Such violations result in apprehension of IFBs/ local fishermen by foreign Law Enforcement/Maritime agencies.It also causes avoidable physical and mental agony to fishermen and family.
 
 In this regards Indian Coast Guard has also requested West Bengal State administration to issue necessary directives to concerned officials to sensitize local fishing community on legal and security implications of crossing IMBL.