India-Bangladesh Ties

16 May 2026

India-Bangladesh Ties

India-Bangladesh Ties: Maritime Cooperation and Emerging Challenges

The trajectory of India-Bangladesh ties has entered a new phase in 2026 following the assumption of office by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in February 2026. After a politically strained interim phase in Bangladesh, restoring stable and cooperative bilateral relations with India has emerged as a strategic priority for both countries.

While India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, economic, and geographical linkages, maritime disputes and recurring fishermen-related tensions in the Bay of Bengal continue to remain important concerns in bilateral relations.

The issue has gained renewed attention because despite the successful settlement of maritime boundaries in 2014, illegal crossings and arrests of fishermen continue to create friction.

India-Bangladesh Relations: Historical Background

Importance of India-Bangladesh Relations

India and Bangladesh share one of South Asia’s most significant bilateral relationships due to:

  • A 4,000 km-long international border
  • Shared rivers and maritime boundaries
  • Economic interdependence
  • Cultural and linguistic connections
  • Strategic importance in the Bay of Bengal region

Since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, India has remained a major regional partner. However, bilateral ties have periodically faced challenges over:

  • Border management
  • Water sharing
  • Illegal migration
  • Maritime disputes
  • Fishermen arrests

The maritime dimension has become increasingly important because of the growing significance of the Blue Economy and fisheries resources in the Bay of Bengal.

Maritime Boundary Settlement Between India and Bangladesh

Permanent Court of Arbitration Award 2014

A major breakthrough in India-Bangladesh maritime relations occurred in 2014 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration delivered its verdict on the maritime boundary dispute in the Bay of Bengal.

The ruling clarified:

  • Territorial waters
  • Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
  • Continental shelf boundaries

The judgment was widely praised because both India and Bangladesh peacefully accepted the ruling, reinforcing faith in international law and the UNCLOS framework.

Despite this legal settlement, practical problems at sea continue to persist.

What is the Main Bone of Contention in India-Bangladesh Ties?

Fishermen Crossings and Maritime Disputes

The biggest recurring issue in India-Bangladesh ties today involves fishermen illegally crossing maritime boundaries.

Fishermen from both countries frequently enter each other’s waters, leading to arrests, vessel seizures, and diplomatic tensions.

Three major reasons explain this recurring problem.

1. Search for Richer Fish Catch

Hilsa Fishing and Economic Pressures

The Bay of Bengal is extremely rich in marine resources, particularly Hilsa fish, which carries enormous economic and cultural significance in both India and Bangladesh.

Fishermen often cross maritime boundaries because:

  • Fish stocks shift seasonally
  • Hilsa migratory patterns ignore political borders
  • Economic survival depends on better catch opportunities

For coastal fishing communities, access to richer fishing zones directly affects livelihood security.

2. Different Fishing Ban Periods

Fishing Ban Misalignment Between India and Bangladesh

Another important source of tension is the difference in fishing ban calendars.

Historically:

  • Bangladesh imposed a 65-day fishing ban
  • India followed a 61-day restriction period

Additionally:

  • Bangladesh maintained a 22-day Hilsa conservation ban in October
  • West Bengal followed a different September–October schedule

These policy differences unintentionally encourage fishermen to cross borders during operational windows.

However, a positive development emerged recently when Bangladesh revised its fishing ban period to April 15–June 11, bringing it closer to India’s east-coast fishing calendar.

This synchronisation could help reduce illegal crossings in the future.

3. Familial and Cultural Connections

Cross-Border Social Ties

Many fishing communities on both sides share:

  • Family relations
  • Cultural linkages
  • Historical mobility patterns

For decades, maritime movement in the Bay of Bengal occurred informally before strict maritime enforcement mechanisms evolved.

These social realities make strict enforcement more complicated.

UNCLOS and the Legal Asymmetry Problem

Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Act vs UNCLOS

A deeper challenge in India-Bangladesh maritime relations concerns differences in domestic legal frameworks.

India’s Maritime Zones Act follows the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by clearly distinguishing between:

  • Territorial waters
  • Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)

Under UNCLOS:

  • EEZ violations involving fishermen should generally involve prompt release after reasonable bond procedures
  • Criminal imprisonment is discouraged in EEZ-related fishing violations

However, Bangladesh’s Marine Fisheries Act, 2020 applies uniform punishments across its entire “Marine Fishing Space,” including imprisonment and fines.

Experts argue this creates legal asymmetry because it does not fully align with UNCLOS principles regarding EEZ violations.

This difference could become a future source of diplomatic and legal disputes.

Measures Taken to Improve India-Bangladesh Maritime Cooperation

India-Bangladesh MoUs of 2015

In June 2015, India and Bangladesh signed two important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

1. Coast Guard Cooperation MoU

This agreement aimed to:

  • Prevent illegal maritime activities
  • Improve coordination between Coast Guards
  • Enable faster communication
  • Facilitate early release of arrested fishermen

2. Blue Economy Cooperation MoU

This agreement focused on:

  • Sustainable maritime development
  • Fisheries cooperation
  • Marine resource management
  • Scientific collaboration

A Joint Working Group on Blue Economy was also proposed.

However, experts note that the mechanism has remained largely inactive.

Humanitarian Cooperation Despite Bilateral Strains

Fishermen Repatriation in 2025

Despite broader bilateral tensions, humanitarian cooperation between the two countries has continued.

In January 2025:

  • 90 Bangladeshi fishermen
  • 95 Indian fishermen

were repatriated along with their fishing vessels through coordinated Coast Guard efforts.

This demonstrated that operational-level cooperation remains functional even during periods of political strain.

Why Existing Measures Are Insufficient

Limitations of Current India-Bangladesh Agreements

Experts argue that existing mechanisms remain inadequate because:

  • MoUs lack legally binding enforcement
  • There is no comprehensive bilateral fisheries treaty
  • Coordination mechanisms remain weak
  • Arrest procedures vary significantly
  • Information-sharing systems are limited

The relatively low number of severe incidents has also reduced urgency for stronger institutional frameworks.

However, increasing maritime competition and climate-related pressures could intensify future disputes.

What Experts Recommend for Better India-Bangladesh Relations

Measures to Reduce Maritime Tensions

Policy experts and maritime analysts have suggested several reforms.

  • Synchronised Fishing Ban Calendars- Aligning fishing bans could reduce incentives for illegal crossings.
  • Early Release Protocols- Standard procedures for prompt repatriation can prevent humanitarian crises.
  • Joint Fishermen Database- Shared databases can improve identification and reduce delays.
  • Direct Coast Guard Hotlines- Real-time communication can prevent escalation at sea.
  • Legally Binding Bilateral Agreement- A formal treaty regarding EEZ violations and fishermen treatment could strengthen legal clarity and UNCLOS compliance.
  • Blue Economy Cooperation- Joint marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management can create long-term mutual benefits.

Strategic Importance of India-Bangladesh Maritime Cooperation

Bay of Bengal and Regional Stability

The Bay of Bengal has become strategically important because of:

  • Maritime trade routes
  • Fisheries resources
  • Energy exploration
  • Indo-Pacific geopolitics
  • Climate security concerns

Stable India-Bangladesh ties are therefore essential not only for bilateral relations but also for broader regional stability in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Key Takeaways

  • India and Bangladesh resolved their maritime boundary dispute in 2014 through international arbitration.
  • Illegal fishermen crossings remain the major maritime issue between both countries.
  • Hilsa fishing, different ban periods, and familial ties contribute to recurring violations.
  • Bangladesh’s Marine Fisheries Act 2020 creates legal concerns regarding UNCLOS compliance.
  • India and Bangladesh signed Coast Guard and Blue Economy MoUs in 2015.
  • Recent synchronisation of fishing bans is a positive step.
  • Experts recommend legally binding agreements, early-release protocols, and better maritime coordination.

Conclusion

The future of India-Bangladesh ties under the government of Tarique Rahman presents both opportunities and challenges. While political willingness for improved relations exists, unresolved maritime and fishermen-related disputes continue to test bilateral trust.

The Bay of Bengal is no longer merely a shared geographical space; it is now central to economic security, regional geopolitics, and Blue Economy ambitions.

Sustainable solutions will require:

  • Legal clarity
  • Institutional coordination
  • Humanitarian sensitivity
  • Regional maritime cooperation
  • Stronger treaty-level frameworks

If managed effectively, India and Bangladesh can transform maritime tensions into a model of cooperative regional governance.

FAQs on India-Bangladesh Ties

What is the main issue between India and Bangladesh in maritime relations?

The main issue involves illegal fishermen crossings, arrests, and differences in fishing regulations and legal frameworks.

What was the 2014 India-Bangladesh maritime ruling?

The Permanent Court of Arbitration settled the maritime boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal.

Why do fishermen cross maritime boundaries?

Fishermen cross boundaries mainly due to richer fish catch opportunities, different fishing ban periods, and social ties across borders.

What is UNCLOS?

UNCLOS stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which governs international maritime law.

Why is Bangladesh’s Marine Fisheries Act controversial?

Experts argue that it does not fully comply with UNCLOS provisions regarding treatment of EEZ fishing violations.

What is the Blue Economy agreement between India and Bangladesh?

It is a cooperation framework signed in 2015 to promote sustainable marine resource management and maritime collaboration.

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH

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