India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities for 27th time
India and Pakistan today simultaneously shared with each other lists of their nuclear installations under an agreement that prevents both from attacking the other's nuclear facilities. This was the 27th such exchange under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan. The first took place on January 1, 1992, after the agreement's implementation in January'91.
A brief introduction to the non-nuclear aggression agreement
Negotiations to reach a nuclear agreement started in the 1980s. The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations was finally signed after Benazir Bhutto became PM in 1988. It was ratified by both countries in January'91. Under it, none can launch attacks, or help someone else to attack, the other's nuclear facilities. Since January'92, India-Pakistan have annually exchanged lists of nuclear installations.
Pakistan set to release 146 fishermen soon
Apart from the nuclear list, Islamabad also shared with the High Commission of India (in Islamabad) the names of 457 Indian prisoners This comes under the 2008 Consular and Access Agreement, which mandates both to hand over lists of prisoners in each others' countries twice a year. On January 8, Pakistan is set to release 146 Indian fishermen.
The two countries meanwhile spar over Kulbhushan Jadhav
Meanwhile, the two neighbors are engrossed in a diplomatic spat over Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been in Pakistani custody since months. Islamabad alleged he is a spy. Pakistan has sentenced him to death, but the International Court of Justice is hearing the matter.
