New Delhi

India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of prisoners, fishermen, and nuclear installations through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. India urged Pakistan to release and repatriate 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences and provide consular access to 35 detainees believed to be Indian.

India shared details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan provided lists of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen who are Indian or believed to be Indian. The MEA emphasised that India requested Pakistan to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen pending their return.

Since 2014, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan, including 500 fishermen and 13 civilians since 2023. The exchanges are part of annual procedures held every January 1 and July 1 to maintain dialogue and transparency between the two neighbours.

In addition, the two countries exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, originally signed on December 31, 1988. This marks the 35th consecutive exchange since the first in January 1992.

These diplomatic measures aim to maintain stability, ensure humane treatment of prisoners, and prevent misunderstandings regarding nuclear sites, reflecting a continued effort to manage sensitive issues while encouraging repatriation and bilateral cooperation.