India, Pakistan carry out 35th annual exchange of nuclear installations list

India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of their nuclear installations that are barred from being targeted during hostilities, continuing an annual practice in place since 1992. 

The exchange of the details of the nuclear installations covered under a bilateral pact came notwithstanding the ties between the two countries remained under deep freeze following the May 7-10 military conflict.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the exchange was conducted under the provisions of the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. “India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement,” the MEA said.

The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991. It mandates that both countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the pact on January 1 every year.

“This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first having taken place on January 1, 1992,” the MEA said.

India and Pakistan also exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, which provides for such exchanges twice a year—on January 1 and July 1.

India shared details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, shared details of 58 civilian prisoners and 199 fishermen who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

New Delhi urged Islamabad to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their jail terms. It also sought immediate consular access to 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen currently in Pakistan’s custody.

India further asked Pakistan to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen pending their release and repatriation.

“As a result of sustained efforts by the government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014,” the MEA said. “This includes 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners repatriated since 2023,” it added.

Bilateral relations between the two countries hit a low following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. While the military confrontation ended on May 10, diplomatic ties remain frozen.
(With PTI inputs)