In accordance with the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, India and Pakistan conducted the biannual exchange of lists detailing civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody. The exchange, a routine diplomatic procedure, took place on Monday, July 1, marking the latest update in the ongoing humanitarian dialogue between the two nations.
According to official sources, India provided Pakistan with a comprehensive list identifying 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen currently under India’s custody, whereas Pakistan reciprocated by sharing details of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen believed to be Indian nationals or of Indian origin.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that since 2014, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners repatriated since the beginning of 2023.
The exchange of lists, stipulated to occur annually on January 1 and July 1 under the bilateral agreement, aims to facilitate consular access and ensure humanitarian treatment of prisoners and detained fishermen on both sides.
Both nations reiterated their commitment to upholding the terms of the agreement, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the exchanges amid broader efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
For further updates, the Ministry of External Affairs and corresponding authorities in Pakistan continue to monitor the situation closely, with ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring the welfare and repatriation of all affected individuals.
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