New Delhi: India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody, with New Delhi calling for the early release and repatriation of 185 Indian nationals who had completed their prison terms. Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the two countries exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014 as a result of New Delhi's sustained efforts. In addition, it shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistanis. Similarly, Pakistan shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indians.
Pakistan was asked to provide immediate consular access to 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, who are believed to be Indians and have not been provided such access so far. it was also 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”, the statement said.
The Indian government also called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen with their boats, and missing Indian defense personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody. In this regard, it urged its neighbor to expedite the process to verify the nationality of 75 believed to be Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody. The repatriation of these people is “pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan”.
