India and Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Assets and Prison Inmates

India and Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Assets and Prison Inmates: Despite their bilateral relations being at an all-time low, India and Pakistan exchanged names of nuclear installations that cannot be struck in the case of hostilities, maintaining a tradition that dates back to 1992. The two sides further exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s jails, and the Indian side sought the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing defence personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody.

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More About This Development:

The first exchange of these lists took place on January 1, 1992, and this one was the 32nd in a row between the two countries. Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the two sides also exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

What Has Been Done:

According to the external affairs ministry, India is currently holding 95 fishermen and 339 civilian Pakistani prisoners. Pakistan shared a list of 51 civilian prisoners and 654 fishermen in its custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 631 Indian fishermen and 02 Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan was urged to grant prompt consular access to 22 suspected Indian civilian prisoners and 30 fishermen who are currently being held in its custody.

How This Has Been Done:

The lists of nuclear installations and facilities were simultaneously exchanged through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad according to provisions of the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. Both sides do not disclose details of such facilities.