Onlykashmir.in News Desk
New Delhi: India and Pakistan simultaneously exchanged two important lists through diplomatic channels, a move being described as a continuation of confidence building efforts between the two countries.
Under the 1988 agreement, both countries shared lists of nuclear installations and facilities with each other. The agreement relates to the prohibition of attacks on nuclear installations and makes it mandatory to exchange such lists every year on January 1. This year marked the 34th consecutive exchange, a process that began in 1992.
On the same day, India and Pakistan also exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, India shared details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani, while Pakistan provided details of 58 civilian prisoners and 199 fishermen who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
India called for the early release and repatriation of those prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences, and also stressed the need for consular access and the safety and welfare of detainees. The ministry said that since 2014, thousands of Indian fishermen and dozens of civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan.
The exchange of these lists is being seen as a sign of continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries despite prevailing regional tensions.
