India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations & prisoners

India and Pakistan exchanged a list of their nuclear installations through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad. According to MEA statement, issued on Saturday, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan. The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year, the statement reads. This was the 31st consecutive exchange of such lists with the first one taking place on January 01, 1992.

Both countries also exchanged list of prisoners,which includes civilians, defence personnel and fishermen, the MEA said. Pakistan shared with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad a list of 628 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, including 51 civilians and 577 fishermen. While, India handed a list of 355 Pakistani prisoners in India, including 282 civilians and 73 fishermen, to the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi. This step is consistent with clause (i) of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 01 January and 01 July, respectively,” a statement from the ministry read.