Pakistan has freed 151 Indian fishermen and Sri Lanka has ordered the release of all detained Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture on the eve of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.

Pakistan Authorities released 59 Indian fishermen from Malir jail in Karachi and another 92 from Nara jail in Hyderabad in Sindh province. They were arrested for allegedly trespassing into Pakistani territorial waters.

The freed prisoners were taken by bus from Karachi to Wagah border in Lahore from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives in New Delhi tomorrow to attend the swearing-in of Modi.

Srilankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also ordered the release of all Indian fishermen ahead of his visit to India tomorrow. However, Sri Lankan fisheries ministry officials could not indicate the number of Indian fishermen currently in detention.