India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities on Thursday, 1st January, as per a bilateral agreement which does not allow either country to attack the other’s nuclear facilities. This exchange was carried out even though the relations between the two neighbouring nations have been tense ever since the four-day military conflict in May 2025.
The exchange has been conducted simultaneously via diplomatic channels by both countries in New Delhi and Islamabad, according to a Press Release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This gesture is done on an annual basis under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities.
India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of Nuclear Installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and… pic.twitter.com/QPZhAN1ugV
— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2026
“India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement,” the MEA said in a brief statement.
A three-decade-old confidence-building measure
The agreement for such an exchange was signed on 31st December 1988, and it came into force on 27th January 1991. The agreement states that each country has the obligation to transmit the list of its nuclear facilities to the other country on 1st January every year.
This year’s exchange marks the 35th consecutive year in which the lists have been exchanged. The very first exchange was made on the 1st January, 1992. This agreement assumes great importance as a confidence-building measure to eliminate nuclear risks and avoid any misunderstandings between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of Nuclear Installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and… pic.twitter.com/dasrCfZxys
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2026
Despite the high levels of tension, the commitment has remained, and it shows just how crucial it is in ensuring the maintenance of the strategic stability within the region, as far as the two states are concerned.
Exchange of lists of civil prisoners and fishermen
On the same day, India and Pakistan also exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. This exchange, too, was conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
According to a Press Release by MEA, India shared details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen currently in its custody who are Pakistanis or believed to be Pakistanis. Pakistan, in turn, shared details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody who are Indians or believed to be Indians.
India seeks early release and consular access
The Indian government has once again urged Pakistan to ensure the early release and repatriation of Indian civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel. India has specifically asked Pakistan to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their sentences.
New Delhi has also sought immediate consular access for 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian but have not yet been granted such access. India stressed the need for Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their release and return.
Repatriation efforts since 2014
The MEA mentioned that, through continued diplomatic efforts, as many as 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners who returned to India since 2023.
“Such exchanges are an important humanitarian and diplomatic channel between the two countries despite the continued tension between them,” said officials.
