India and Pakistan exchanged lists today detailing the civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody. The exchange occurred simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, operating under the terms of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.
Details of the Exchange
India provided a list of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen currently in their custody, all of whom are Pakistani nationals or believed to be. Pakistan, in turn, shared details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen held in their custody, identified as Indian nationals or believed to be Indian.
Calls for Repatriation and Consular Access
The Government of India has requested the early release and repatriation of all civil prisoners and fishermen, including their boats, and also raised the issue of missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistani custody. Specifically, India urged Pakistan to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their sentences.
India also requested immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan who are believed to be Indian but have not yet received it. The Indian government further asked Pakistan to guarantee the safety and well-being of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen while awaiting release and repatriation.
Recent Repatriations
Since 2014, India reports that 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan. More recently, between 2023 and today, 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners have been returned to India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Agreement on Consular Access 2008?
Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, India and Pakistan exchange lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody.
How many prisoners are currently listed in each country’s custody?
India shared lists detailing 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen, while Pakistan shared lists of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen.
What actions has India requested of Pakistan?
The Government of India has called for the early release and repatriation of prisoners and fishermen, expedited release of those who have completed their sentences, and immediate consular access to those believed to be Indian nationals.
It remains to be seen whether these requests will be met, and a possible next step could involve further diplomatic discussions between the two countries regarding the specific cases of the prisoners and fishermen involved. The situation could also remain static, with continued adherence to the existing agreement without significant changes in repatriation rates.
Keep reading