India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities, prisoners

NEW DELHI (AA) – India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody, Indian authorities said on Sunday.

According to the Indian External Affairs Ministry, New Delhi and Islamabad switched the list of nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between the two countries.

The 1988 agreement requires that India and Pakistan inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on Jan. 1 of each year.

“This is the 32nd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 01 January 1992,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, India also handed over the lists of 339 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 Pakistani fishermen currently in Indian custody, the ministry statement added.

Pakistan shared the lists of 51 civilian prisoners and 654 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are believed to be Indians.

Under a 2008 agreement, both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year: on Jan. 1 and July 1.

The Indian side said it called for early release and repatriation of “civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, and fishermen along with their boats” from Pakistan’s custody.

“In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 631 Indian fishermen and 2 Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan,” the ministry said.

“In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 30 fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian.”