Consular, Nuclear Pacts Honoured

India and Pakistan engaged in Home/Interior Secretary-level talks in Islamabad on November 25-26, 2008, culminating in the signing of an Agreement on Consular Access. This crucial pact, along with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, ensures a fundamental right by connecting countries with their citizens imprisoned abroad, providing a legal framework for detainees to seek assistance from their respective embassies or consulates.

In adherence to this 2008 Bilateral Agreement, on January 1, 2024, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody via diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. This exchange, mandated to occur semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st, is a testament to ongoing diplomatic engagement between the neighbours.

India declared having 337 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen, while Pakistan reported holding 47 Indian civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen. Responding to this, the Government of India promptly urged Pakistan for the swift release and repatriation of these individuals, especially the 184 Indian fishermen who have served their sentences, and demanded immediate consular access to the 12 remaining civilian prisoners.

From 2020 to 2023, a significant step towards reconciliation was made with the repatriation of 508 Indian prisoners from Pakistan. Alongside prisoner information, both nations also exchanged lists of nuclear installations on January 1st, 2024 as per the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. This ongoing exchange, lasting 33 years, underscores a mutual commitment to safeguard critical infrastructure even amidst heightened tensions.

Despite complex cross-border dynamics, the diligent adherence to these agreements underscores India's dedication to peace and the safety of its people, as well as the broader commitment to international norms and humanitarian principles.