Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear facilities
India and Pakistan engaged in the customary exchange of lists encompassing nuclear facilities, along with information regarding civilian prisoners and fishermen detained in their custody, as disclosed in an official statement issued by both countries.
The statements released by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry and India's External Affairs Ministry confirmed the simultaneous exchange of these lists through diplomatic channels in Islamabad and New Delhi. This exchange pertained to the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan, outlining the nuclear installations and facilities covered under this agreement.
Highlighting the historical context, the statement emphasized that this marks the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two nations, with the initial exchange taking place on January 1, 1992. The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, mandates the annual communication of the covered nuclear installations and facilities every January 1.
The Indian ministry disclosed that New Delhi shared details concerning 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen held in its custody, either identified as Pakistani nationals or suspected to be of Pakistani origin. In return, Pakistan provided lists detailing 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen within its custody, recognized as Indian nationals or believed to be of Indian descent.
India has earnestly urged for the swift release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing defense personnel from India, and detained fishermen, along with their vessels, held in Pakistan's custody. Additionally, the statement stressed the necessity for immediate consular access to 12 civilian prisoners detained in Pakistan, believed to be of Indian nationality. India has further requested Pakistan to ensure the well-being and safety of all Indian and presumed Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen until their eventual release and return to India.
The Indian government acknowledged the repatriation of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan since 2014, including 478 Indian fishermen and nine Indian civilian prisoners repatriated in 2023. This exchange remains a pivotal aspect of bilateral agreements, underscoring the ongoing efforts to facilitate communication and uphold humanitarian concerns between the two neighboring nations.
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