India and Pakistan Exchange Nuclear Facility Lists Annually
India and Pakistan continue annual tradition of exchanging lists of nuclear installations and prisoners.
Photo by Romain Chollet
Here's what matters: India and Pakistan have once again exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities, along with civilian prisoners and fishermen, upholding a 33-year-old agreement. This annual ritual, mandated by the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988, and ratified in 1991, ensures neither country attacks the other's nuclear sites. This is a crucial confidence-building measure, especially given the often-strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The exchange also included lists of 308 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen in Indian custody, and 417 Indian civilian prisoners and 105 fishermen in Pakistani custody, highlighting ongoing humanitarian concerns. This practice, despite political tensions, underscores a commitment to de-escalation and transparency in a sensitive region.
Key Facts
Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities signed on December 31, 1988
Agreement ratified in 1991
Lists exchanged on January 1, 2024
308 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen in Indian custody
417 Indian civilian prisoners and 105 fishermen in Pakistani custody
UPSC Exam Angles
Significance of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) in conflict resolution and de-escalation.
India-Pakistan bilateral relations: historical context, challenges, and future prospects.
Nuclear doctrines and strategic stability in South Asia.
International law and bilateral treaties: their role and enforcement.
Humanitarian aspects of international relations: prisoner exchange and consular access.
Visual Insights
India-Pakistan APAANIA: A 33-Year Commitment to Nuclear De-escalation
This timeline illustrates the historical progression and consistent adherence to the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities (APAANIA) between India and Pakistan, highlighting its role as a crucial confidence-building measure amidst often-strained bilateral relations.
The APAANIA emerged from a period of heightened tensions and the need to prevent accidental or intentional escalation involving nuclear assets in South Asia. Its consistent adherence since 1992, despite political volatility, underscores its critical role in regional strategic stability.
- 1988APAANIA signed by PMs Rajiv Gandhi (India) & Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan) (Dec 31)
- 1991APAANIA ratified and came into force (Jan 27)
- 1992First annual exchange of nuclear facility lists (Jan 1). This practice continues annually.
- 1998India (Pokhran-II) & Pakistan (Chagai-I) conduct nuclear tests, formally declaring themselves nuclear-armed states.
- 1999Lahore Declaration signed, reaffirming commitment to CBMs and nuclear restraint.
- 2008India-Pakistan Consular Agreement signed, establishing a framework for prisoner exchanges.
- 2019Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike lead to heightened tensions, testing the resilience of existing CBMs.
- 202433rd consecutive annual exchange of nuclear facility lists (Jan 1).
- 2025Annual exchange of nuclear facility lists (Jan 1).
- 2026Annual exchange of nuclear facility lists and humanitarian lists (Jan 1), continuing the 33-year tradition.
India-Pakistan Humanitarian Exchange (January 2026)
This dashboard presents the latest figures from the annual exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen between India and Pakistan, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian aspect of their bilateral relations.
- Pakistani Civilian Prisoners in Indian Custody
- 308
- Pakistani Fishermen in Indian Custody
- 95
- Indian Civilian Prisoners in Pakistani Custody
- 417
- Indian Fishermen in Pakistani Custody
- 105
Represents Pakistani nationals detained in India, often for visa violations or other legal issues. Their repatriation is a key humanitarian concern.
Fishermen often inadvertently cross maritime boundaries due to unclear demarcation or lack of GPS, leading to arrests. Their release is a frequent humanitarian appeal.
Indian nationals detained in Pakistan, similar to Pakistani prisoners in India. Their welfare and repatriation are consistently raised by India.
Indian fishermen detained by Pakistan, often from Gujarat, facing similar issues of inadvertent border crossings. Their plight is a recurring humanitarian issue.
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities' between India and Pakistan: 1. It was signed in 1988 and came into force in 1991. 2. The agreement mandates an annual exchange of lists of nuclear facilities on January 1st of each year. 3. It is considered a crucial confidence-building measure aimed at preventing accidental nuclear escalation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988, and ratified in 1991, coming into force then. Statement 2 is correct: The agreement specifically mandates the exchange of lists on January 1st annually. Statement 3 is correct: It is widely recognized as a crucial confidence-building measure (CBM) to reduce the risk of miscalculation and accidental escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
2. In the context of confidence-building measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities is the only CBM currently active between the two countries.
- B.The Lahore Declaration (1999) aimed at reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.
- C.The two countries have a standing agreement for consular access to prisoners, including fishermen.
- D.CBMs are primarily designed to reduce misperception and miscalculation in times of tension.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement A is NOT correct. While the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities is a significant CBM, it is not the only one. Other CBMs include the Lahore Declaration (1999) which focused on nuclear risk reduction, various military hotline contacts, and agreements on prisoner exchanges and consular access. Statement B is correct: The Lahore Declaration, signed by PM Vajpayee and PM Nawaz Sharif, specifically addressed nuclear risk reduction. Statement C is correct: India and Pakistan have an agreement on consular access to prisoners, which is often invoked for fishermen and civilian prisoners. Statement D is correct: The fundamental purpose of CBMs is to build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and prevent unintended escalation, especially between nuclear powers.
3. Which of the following international conventions or principles is most directly relevant to the humanitarian aspect of India and Pakistan exchanging lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen?
- A.Geneva Conventions of 1949
- B.Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961
- C.Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963
- D.Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Show Answer
Answer: C
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, is most directly relevant. Article 36 of this convention mandates that when a national of one state is arrested or detained in another state, the authorities of the detaining state must inform the person of their right to communicate with their consulate. It also obliges the detaining state to inform the consulate of the arrest if the person so requests. This facilitates consular access, which is crucial for the welfare and eventual repatriation of civilian prisoners and fishermen. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a broad framework for human rights, and Geneva Conventions deal with prisoners of war, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations specifically governs the rights and duties related to consular access for detained civilians. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations deals with diplomatic missions, not consular access for citizens.