Kumar Bahukhandi
The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. (Representational Image/PT
The list exchange took place under the provisions of an agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said
New Delhi: India and Pakistan on New Year’s Day exchanged their customary lists of nuclear installations and prisoners held in each other’s custody, in keeping with long-standing bilateral agreements. The exchange of lists takes place twice every year, on January 1 and July 1.
In a statement, New Delhi said that under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, India and Pakistan simultaneously exchanged, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody. India shared details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, shared details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
India urged Pakistan to ensure the early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from its custody. New Delhi also asked Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their sentences. In addition, Pakistan was urged to provide immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen believed to be Indian who have not yet been granted such access, and to ensure their safety, security and welfare pending their release.
The statement noted that due to sustained efforts by the Government of India, a total of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 fishermen and 13 civil prisoners repatriated since 2023.
In a separate statement, New Delhi said India and Pakistan also exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. The agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, and in force since January 27, 1991, mandates the exchange of such lists on January 1 every year. This marks the 35th consecutive exchange of nuclear installation lists between the two countries, with the first exchange having taken place on January 1, 1992.
