India and Pakistan exchanged a list of their nuclear installations on Wednesday, as part of a bilateral agreement that prevents both nations from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities.
This exchange is in accordance with the Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations and Facilities agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into effect on January 27, 1991, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Under the terms of this pact, both countries must share details of their nuclear facilities with each other every year on January 1.
India Pakistan Exchange Prisoner Lists and Nuclear Installations
On Wednesday, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody. India urged Pakistan to fast-track the release of 183 Indian nationals who have completed their sentences and requested immediate consular access to 18 other prisoners.
The two countries also exchanged lists of nuclear installations that must remain off-limits during hostilities, continuing a practice that has been in place since 1992, despite strained relations between the neighbors.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India provided a list of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, shared the names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen believed to be Indian.
These lists are exchanged twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, as part of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.
India called on Pakistan to “expedite the release and repatriation” of 183 Indian fishermen and prisoners who have served their sentences. Additionally, India requested immediate consular access to 18 individuals who are believed to be Indian but have not yet been granted such access.
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India and Pakistan Address Humanitarian Issues
India reaffirmed its commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, including matters related to prisoners and fishermen from both countries. In this regard, India urged Pakistan to speed up the nationality verification process for 76 civilian prisoners and fishermen, who are believed to be Pakistani, and whose repatriation is pending due to the lack of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.
Since 2014, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been sent back from Pakistan. This includes 478 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners repatriated since 2023.
India and Pakistan also exchanged their lists of nuclear facilities through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, as per the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. This agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, and effective from January 27, 1991, requires both nations to inform each other about their nuclear installations on January 1st each year.
This marks the 34th consecutive exchange of such lists, with the first one taking place in January 1992. However, details about the nuclear installations are not disclosed by either country.
India and Pakistan have not resumed formal talks since New Delhi halted the composite dialogue following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. These attacks, carried out by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), resulted in 166 deaths and numerous injuries.
Efforts for Diplomatic Ties Between India and Pakistan
Efforts to resume diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been made by political leaders on both sides. However, these attempts were hindered by several terror attacks linked to groups based in Pakistan. Tensions escalated after the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack, attributed to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), bringing both countries close to conflict.
In October of the same year, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made history as the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in almost ten years. He attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s second-highest decision-making body in Islamabad.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why do India and Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations?
Ans. The exchange is part of the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks on Nuclear Installations and Facilities, aimed at preventing attacks on each other’s nuclear assets.
Q.2. How often are the lists of nuclear installations exchanged between India and Pakistan?
Ans. The lists are exchanged annually on January 1st, continuing a practice since 1992.
Q.3. What is the significance of the prisoner lists exchanged between India and Pakistan?
Ans. The exchange allows both countries to track and verify prisoners held in each other’s custody, promoting transparency and humanitarian considerations.
Q.4. How did the 2019 Pulwama attack impact India-Pakistan relations?
Ans. The attack, attributed to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, significantly heightened tensions and brought both countries close to conflict.
Q.5. Has India resumed formal talks with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks?
Ans. No, formal talks have not resumed since New Delhi halted the composite dialogue after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
