India-Bangladesh Maritime Tensions Escalate Over Conflicting Claims in Bay of Bengal

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have intensified over a disputed maritime incident in the Bay of Bengal, with Indian fishermen accusing a Bangladeshi patrol vessel of deliberate aggression and Dhaka rejecting the claims outright, followed swiftly by the apprehension of Bangladeshi boats by Indian forces.

The controversy stems from the December 15 capsizing of the Indian trawler FB Paramita-11 near the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The vessel, with 16 crew from Kakdwip in West Bengal, sank in foggy conditions.

Eleven survivors were rescued by the Indian boat IFB Raghupati, while search efforts continue for five missing fishermen.

Indian survivors alleged that a Bangladeshi Navy or Coast Guard ship approached undetected, rammed their trawler intentionally, and left the scene without aid. Reports in Indian media, including The Times of India, cited claims that fisherman Rajdul Ali Sheikh was killed by a spear-like object thrown from the vessel, with another crewman injured.

Bangladesh’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) dismissed the accusations on December 16 as “baseless and fabricated,” stating their patrol vessel was more than 12 nautical miles away in Bangladeshi waters. They maintained the trawler sank accidentally in Indian territory and noted their assistance in rescue operations after notification from India’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

In a related development, the Indian Coast Guard ship Anmol intercepted two Bangladeshi fishing boats—Sabina-1 and Ruposhi Sultana—with 35 crew on December 16-17 for alleged illegal fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessels were escorted to Frazerganj and handed over to police for action under the Maritime Zones of India Act.

Incidents of cross-border fishing violations are commonplace due to porous maritime boundaries and shared resources, frequently leading to detentions and eventual repatriations.

Fishermen associations in India have urged investigations and improved coordination, while both governments highlight ongoing cooperation. The episodes highlight persistent strains in India-Bangladesh maritime relations, with diplomacy likely key to de-escalation.