India and Pakistan Exchange List of Prisoners | 10 Jul 2024
Recently, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.
- Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on 1st January and on 1st July.
- Section 4 of the agreement states that both nations' governments must offer consular access to citizens of the other nation within three months of their arrest, detention, or imprisonment.
- Section 5 of the agreement stipulates that both governments must release and repatriate individuals within one month of confirming their national status and completing their sentences.
- The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody.