India, Pak exchange list of nuclear installations
India and Pakistan on Saturday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in case of an escalation in hostilities, as part of an annual ritual that has been in practice between the two neighbours for more than three decades.
The two countries also exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s prisons, which include civilians, defence personnel and fishermen, a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The lists of nuclear installation and facilities were exchanged as per the provisions of the Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988 and ratified on 27 January 1991.According to this agreement, both countries have to inform each other of the nuclear facilities. The exchange of the lists came amid strain in ties between the two countries over the Kashmir issue as well as cross-border terrorism.
The list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission. Similarly, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi handed their list of nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission.
Pakistan also shared a list of 628 Indian prisoners, including 51 civilians and 577 fishermen. India also simultaneously shared the list of 355 Pakistani prisoners in India including 282 civilians and 73 fishermen, the statement said.
