India, Pak share lists of n-installations, prisoners
New Delhi: India and Pakistan on Saturday exchanged the lists of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, as well as the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their respective custodies.
They exchanged the lists through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the media reported.
The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988, had come into force on January 27, 1991. It requires both the countries to notify each other on the first date of the calendar year about their respective nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement.
This is the 31st time the two countries have exchanged such lists, with the first being on January 1, 1992.
The exchange of civilian prisoners and fishermen’s lists complies with the 2008 Agreement, which mandates that such lists be exchanged every year on January 1, and July 1.
Pakistan received the lists of its 282 civilian prisoners and 73 fishermen held in India. Islamabad also released a list of 51 civilian detainees and 577 fishermen in its custody who are Indians or are believed to be Indians.
India had appealed for an early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, and fishermen, as well as their boats, from Pakistan’s custody, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
India urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of two civilian prisoners and 356 fishermen whose Indian nationality had been conveyed to Pakistan. Besides, New Delhi advised Islamabad to grant prompt consular access to 182 Indian fishermen and 17 civilian inmates kept in Pakistan’s custody.
New Delhi asked Islamabad to grant visas to members of the medical experts’ team and ease their visit to Pakistan to assess the mental health of suspected Indian prisoners of unsound mind, who are being held in various Pakistani jails. It also suggested that the Joint Judicial Committee visit Pakistan sooner.
Pakistan has been also asked to protect the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and suspected Indian civil detainees and fishermen in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Venkatesh Iyer)
