India and Pakistan exchange nuclear and prisoner lists

India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners, under long-standing bilateral agreements, according to official statements from both countries.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the lists were handed over simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad under the 2008 agreement on consular access. The Indian side shared details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. New Delhi called for their “early release and repatriation,” including the return of fishermen’s boats and any missing Indian defence personnel held in Pakistan.

The ministry added that India requested immediate consular access to 35 civilians and fishermen in Pakistan’s custody who have not yet been granted such access.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi confirmed the exchange, stating that Islamabad handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners, including 199 fishermen and 58 other civilians, to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. He also confirmed that the two countries exchanged lists of nuclear facilities under the 1991 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks on Nuclear Installations and Facilities.

The agreement, in effect since Jan. 27, 1991, has required India and Pakistan to share such lists annually. According to the Indian ministry, Thursday marked the 35th consecutive exchange.

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