Following up on a tradition that dates back to more than thirty years ago, India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of nuclear installations that can’t be attacked in any event of hostility. This tradition has been followed even though the bilateral relationship between the two neighboring countries is at an all-time low.
Along with the list of nuclear installations, there was also an exchange of list of prisoners who are being held currently in each other’s prisons. The Indian side is seeking the early release of its civil prisoners, the missing Indian Defence Personnel, and the fishermen who are captured and jailed in Pakistan.
Both the lists regarding the nuclear installations and the facilities were exchanged simultaneously through the diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. This is done according to the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations and Facilities which was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into effect on January 27, 1991. This agreement states that both the nations have to keep each other informed about the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the pact on the first of January every year.
The External Affairs Ministry has issued a statement saying that this was the 31st consecutive exchange of the lists between India and Pakistan, the first such lists were shared back on January 1, 1992. The lists that are exchanged every year are in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access which was signed in May 2008. The pact stated that the two nations exchange their comprehensive lists on 1 January and 1 July every calendar year.
The list of civilian prisoners and fishermen reported that India currently has 282 Pakistani civil prisoners and 73 fishermen in its detention. While the lists that were exchanged through the diplomatic channels showed that there are 51 Indian civil prisoners and 577 fishermen who are said to be Indians in Pakistan’s custody.
The External Ministry in a separate statement said that the government of India has called for an early release of the civil prisoners, missing Defence Personnel, and the fishermen along with their boats from the custody of Pakistan. 2 Indian civil prisoners and 356 fishermen who have been confirmed as Indians were asked to be released by the Indian government. And the consular access to 182 fishermen and 17 Indian Prisoners who are believed to be Indians has been asked immediately.
The 2008 Agreement has speeded up the process of identification and the release of hundreds of prisoners from Pakistan’s custody. The majority of these people are fishermen. Although the bilateral tensions between the two nations provide a hindrance to the whole process, India has remained committed to addressing the priority of all humanitarian issues.