India, Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations And Prisoners; 167 Indians Await Repatriation Despite Completing Sentences

New Delhi: Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"India has shared lists with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists with details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian", the statement read.

"The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody. Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentence", as per the statement.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far.

"Government of India has asked the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civil prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India", the statement said.

"As a result of the sustained efforts by the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date", as per the statement.

Earlier on July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody. Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on 1st of January and July.   

In a parallel diplomatic exercise, India and Pakistan on Wednesday also exchanged the list of their respective nuclear installations and facilities through official channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. 

The exchange was carried out under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988, and in force since January 27, 1991, which mandates both sides to share such details on January 1 every year. 

This year’s exchange marks the 35th consecutive occasion of the annual practice, with the first exchange having taken place on January 1, 1992, reflecting the continuation of a key confidence-building measure between the two neighbours despite strained ties.

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