India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear installations and prisoners held in each other’s custody, continuing a long-standing confidence-building practice despite severely strained bilateral relations.
The lists of nuclear facilities were shared simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. Signed in 1988 and operational since 1991, the pact requires both countries to exchange such information every year on January 1. This marked the 35th consecutive exchange, though the details remain confidential.
Alongside this, both sides also exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. India shared details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, provided information on 58 civilian prisoners and 199 fishermen who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
India urged Pakistan to ensure early release and repatriation of prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences, along with granting immediate consular access to those still awaiting it. New Delhi also stressed the need for safeguarding the welfare of Indian and believed-to-be-Indian detainees in Pakistan.
Despite the lack of sustained dialogue between the two countries in recent years, the exchange underscored the continuation of limited diplomatic mechanisms even during periods of heightened tension.