New Delhi: As the new year dawned, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations through their representatives in each other’s capitals, for the 32nd time. They also shared a list of prisoners held in each other’s custody.
Since 1992, the two South Asian neighbours have been exchanging lists as part of the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.
According to the pact, the two nations must share the list annually.
While India handed over the list to the Pakistani diplomatic mission in New Delhi, the Indian high commission in Islamabad also received a similar document on Sunday, January 1.
At the same time, the two countries also handed over another list, a much more recent confidence-building measure adopted as a result of the signing of the 2008 treaty on Consular Access.
The biannual exercise of exchanging lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody is conducted twice a year – on January 1 and July 1.
As per these official lists, India currently has 339 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen, while Pakistan has 51 Indian civilian prisoners and 654 fishermen.
“The government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody,” said the MEA press release.
The missing Indian defence personnel refers to 83 nationals, including prisoners of war, who are believed to be in Pakistani jails, but whose presence is not officially admitted by Pakistan.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that Pakistan should immediately release 631 Indian fishermen and two civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. India has also asked for consular access to the remaining 30 fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody, believed to be Indian nationals.
Similarly, Pakistan has also sought an early return of 51 civilian prisoners and 94 fishermen. Besides, Islamabad asked for consular access for 56 civilian prisoners and “missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars”.
Despite implementing these crucial confidence-building measures, India and Pakistan continue to have tense relations, exchanging verbal volleys at frequent intervals and keeping their diplomatic missions at a lower level.