India on Wednesday called on Pakistan to grant immediate consular access to 13 civilian prisoners believed to be Indian nationals, as the two countries exchanged lists of prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.
Despite strained bilateral relations, the exchange of prisoner lists twice every year, along with the annual exchange of lists of nuclear installations that cannot be targeted during hostilities on January 1, remains one of the few diplomatic mechanisms that continues between India and Pakistan.
The two sides simultaneously exchanged the lists through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India shared details of 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are either Pakistani nationals or are believed to be Pakistani.
The MEA said India had urged Pakistan to “provide immediate consular access to the 13 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian nationals and have not yet been granted such access.”
New Delhi also asked Islamabad to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have already completed their sentences.
Pakistan, in turn, shared lists of 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are either Indian nationals or are believed to be Indian. In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it had requested India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani nationals, including 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen, whose sentences have been completed and whose nationality has been verified.
Under the Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008, both countries exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen every year on January 1 and July 1.
The MEA reiterated that India has consistently sought the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen and their boats, as well as missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody.
The ministry also urged Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian nationals and those believed to be Indian until they are released and repatriated.
According to the MEA, sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 civilian prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners who have returned to India since 2023.
