India, Pakistan Exchange List of Prisoners as Per 2008 Agreement

As part of the 2008 agreement, India and Pakistan have recently exchanged, through diplomatic channels, at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of nationals, including civil prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the jails of the other country.

The exchange of information is part of the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access between India and Pakistan, which was signed on 21 May 2008. The agreement provides that a comprehensive list of nationals of each country lodged in other country’s jails has to be exchanged twice each year, on January 1 and July 1.

India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement, “India remains committed to addressing on priority all humanitarian matters with Pakistan, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen. In this context, we await from Pakistan confirmation of nationality of those in India’s custody who are otherwise eligible for release and repatriation.”

India has reiterated that Pakistan should grant full and early consular access to the Indian nationals lodged in the custody of Pakistan, including Hamid Nehal Ansari and Kulbhushan Jadav.
“India once again requests Pakistan for the early release and repatriation of Indian Prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats whose nationality has been confirmed by India,” said the statement.