India, Pakistan Exchange Prisoner Lists; India Seeks Return of 188 Nationals

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody on Wednesday, a biannual exercise under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. The exchange occurred simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

Under the agreement signed on May 21, 2008, both governments must maintain comprehensive lists of nationals of the other country under arrest, detention, or imprisonment, and exchange these lists on January 1 and July 1 each year. The pact also requires immediate notification of arrest or detention to the respective High Commission and expeditious information on sentences awarded to convicted nationals.

India shared lists of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

The Indian government has consistently called for the early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel. In Wednesday's exchange, New Delhi urged Islamabad to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences.

India also sought immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners in Pakistan's custody who are believed to be Indian and have not yet received consular access. The Indian government urged Pakistan to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners pending their release and repatriation.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the exchange, stating it handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners comprising 52 civilians and 198 fishermen. Islamabad urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners—64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen—who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed. Pakistan also called for expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate early nationality confirmation and urged India to ensure the safety of all Pakistani prisoners awaiting release.

The agreement provides that both governments release and repatriate persons within one month of nationality confirmation and sentence completion. In cases of arrest or detention on political or security grounds, each side may examine cases on their merits and exercise discretion under its laws for early release on compassionate grounds.

Since 2014, India has secured the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan, including 500 fishermen and 20 civil prisoners repatriated since 2023.