NEW DELHI: The customary exchange of lists of
prisoners
and fishermen between India and
Pakistan
on the first day of the new year took place on Monday with India calling for early
release
and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's
custody
.
In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence, the government said.
"In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India," it said.
Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1. India shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian.
"India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the government said.
The two countries also exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.
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