India, Bangladesh set to exchange 185 jailed fishermen
New Delhi will release 90 Bangladeshi fishermen in response to Dhaka's 95
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Following a tense period in bilateral relations from August last year, the "winds of positive change" seem to blow between India and Bangladesh, with both sides set for reciprocal exchange of 185 imprisoned fishermen on Sunday.
The exchange of fishermen between the two sides will take place on the international waters of the Bay of Bengal, which will be supervised by the coast guard agencies of both the countries.
New Delhi will release 90 Bangladeshi fishermen in response to Dhaka's 95 detained fishermen with it, Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) said.
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In October last year, six Indian fishing trawlers, carrying these 95 fishermen, crossed the international coastal borderline. They were later arrested by the Bangladeshi authorities.
Bangladeshi media has already termed it as a "winds of positive change". The development comes after tensions escalated between the two nations following Dhaka's changed political regime in August last year which saw ouster of the country's former premier Sheikh Hasina.
Prior to the fishermen exchange, there have been diplomatic exchanges, including the foreign secretary-level meeting between the two sides.
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Off late, there has been significant tussle between the two sides over Dhaka's extradition call for Hasina, with India demanding 'fair trial' for all those detained post regime change in the country, including Hindu monk Chinmoy Das--spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagran Jote and former Iskcon leader.
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