India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody through diplomatic channels. This process is adopted every year on January 1 and July 1 under the 2008 consular access agreement between the two countries.
India handed over to Pakistan the list of 386 civilian prisoners and 53 Pakistani fishermen in its custody. At the same time, Pakistan shared with India the list of 52 Indian civilian prisoners and 198 Indian fishermen in its custody. On this occasion, India reiterated its demand from Pakistan for the early release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners.
India says that the sentence of all of them has been completed, but they have not been released yet. India has also demanded Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 13 civilian prisoners considered to be Indians, to whom this facility has not been provided till now. The government has also asked Pakistan to ensure the safety, care and welfare of all Indian prisoners and fishermen until their release.
Also raising the issue of missing Indian defense personnel, the demand for their early return was reiterated. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, due to the continuous efforts of the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civilian prisoners have returned home from Pakistan since 2014. These also include the release of 500 Indian fishermen and 20 Indian civilian prisoners from 2023 till now.
The exchange of the list of prisoners between India and Pakistan has taken place at a time when tension between the two countries is at its peak regarding the Indus Water Treaty. India suspended the Indus Water Treaty after the Pahalgam attack and since then New Delhi has been working rapidly to limit the flow of water. Meanwhile, Pakistan has made many provocative statements. However, India is firm on the issue of terrorism.
