The Government of India has facilitated the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen from Pakistan since 2014, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the data while responding to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani regarding the release of Gujarat fishermen from Pakistani prisons over the last three years.
It is to be noted that due to the proximity between India and Pakistan on India’s western coast, there are frequent occurrences of fishermen from both countries crossing the sea boundaries in order to catch fishes. This innocent fishermen end up being caught by the opposite country’s naval security only to stay in prison for years, while their family waits in their respective villages. All fishermen caught from the Indian side belong to Gujarat.
The minister informed the Upper House of the Parliament that, 18 fishermen from Gujarat have been released from Pakistani jails so far in 2025. As of January 1, 2025, an estimated 123 fishermen from Gujarat were still in Pakistani custody. In 2024, no fishermen from the state were released, while the number stood significantly higher in 2023, when 432 fishermen were repatriated.
Singh emphasized that the safety and welfare of Indian fishermen remain a top priority for the government. Upon receiving information about the detention of fishermen by Pakistani authorities, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad immediately seeks consular access and initiates assistance. High Commission officials visit the imprisoned fishermen, assess their well-being, provide essential welfare supplies, and extend legal support to ensure speedy release and repatriation — including efforts to secure the return of seized boats.
The minister noted that the Indian government regularly raises the issue with Pakistan and urges consideration on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.
India and Pakistan exchange lists of fishermen and civilian prisoners held in each other’s jails twice every year — on January 1 and July 1. As per the exchange on January 1, 2025, Pakistan acknowledged the custody of 217 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian fishermen. Since then, until March 2025, 22 fishermen have been released and repatriated while one incarcerated fisherman reportedly died.
Of the remaining 194 fishermen currently in Pakistan’s jails, 123 are from or believed to be from Gujarat. Breakdown of arrests shows 33 fishermen apprehended in 2021, 68 in 2022, nine in 2023, and 13 in 2024.
With hundreds of fishermen still awaiting freedom across the border, the MEA reiterated that India will continue diplomatic and legal efforts until all detained nationals return home safely.
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