New Delhi: India renewed its call for the early release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and other civil prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistan. The appeal came as India and Pakistan exchanged updated lists of civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
The exchange takes place twice every year— on January 1 and July 1— as part of an arrangement aimed at maintaining updated records of nationals detained or imprisoned across the border and facilitating consular access and repatriation. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that India handed over a list of 439 civilian prisoners, including 53 fishermen, in its custody who are Pakistani nationals or are believed to be Pakistani. In return, Pakistan shared the details of 250 civilian prisoners, including 52 fishermen, who are Indian nationals or believed to be Indian.
Along with the exchange of lists, India reiterated its long-standing demand for the early release and repatriation of Indian civil prisoners, including fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody. The government specifically urged Pakistan to expedite the release of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their sentences. It also requested immediate consular access for 13 civil prisoners believed to be Indian nationals who, according to New Delhi, have not yet been granted such access.
India further called on Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until they are released and repatriated.
The exchange of prisoner lists is carried out under the India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access, signed on May 21, 2008, which requires both countries to notify each other promptly about arrests, detentions or imprisonment of the other’s nationals. The agreement also provides for regular consular access and the exchange of prisoner lists every six months to help verify identities and facilitate repatriation after the completion of legal formalities.
The MEA said India’s sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and another 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. This includes the return of 500 Indian fishermen and 20 other Indian civil prisoners since 2023. The periodic exchange of prisoner lists remains one of the few structured confidence-building mechanisms that continues between India and Pakistan despite broader strains in bilateral relations.