New Delhi, India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in mutual custody, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, adding that as a result, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. . of New Delhi's sustained efforts.
As per the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1, the MEA said in a statement.
"India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in mutual custody," he said.
India has shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistanis or believed to be Pakistanis.
Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indians or believed to be Indians, the MEA added.
The Indian government has called for "the early release and repatriation" of civilian prisoners, fishermen with their boats and missing Indian defense personnel in Pakistani custody, the ministry said.
"Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentences. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody, who are believed to be Indians and have so far not been provided consular access," the statement said.
Pakistan has been asked to ensure the safety and well-being of all Indian and suspected Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India, he said.
The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on a priority basis, all humanitarian issues, including those related to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.
"In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the process of nationality verification of 75 suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody, whose repatriation is pending due to lack of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the statement said. .
"As a result of the government's sustained efforts, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," it said . aggregate.
As per the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1, the MEA said in a statement.
"India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in mutual custody," he said.
India has shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistanis or believed to be Pakistanis.
Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody who are Indians or believed to be Indians, the MEA added.
The Indian government has called for "the early release and repatriation" of civilian prisoners, fishermen with their boats and missing Indian defense personnel in Pakistani custody, the ministry said.
"Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentences. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody, who are believed to be Indians and have so far not been provided consular access," the statement said.
Pakistan has been asked to ensure the safety and well-being of all Indian and suspected Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India, he said.
The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on a priority basis, all humanitarian issues, including those related to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.
"In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the process of nationality verification of 75 suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody, whose repatriation is pending due to lack of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the statement said. .
"As a result of the government's sustained efforts, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," it said . aggregate.
