Both sides share details of N sites, prisoners; Islamabad expresses serious concern over human trafficking violations
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and India on Thursday continued key confidence-building measures by sharing lists of their respective nuclear facilities and prisoners, even as broader bilateral relations remain strained and concerns persist over New Delhi’s actions over shared water resources.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries exchanged lists of nuclear facilities and facilities on January 1 in accordance with the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks on Nuclear Facilities and Facilities.
Pakistan formally handed over its list to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, while India shared its own list with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
The annual exchange, a rare surviving mechanism of engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, took place despite lingering tensions following the four-day conflict earlier this year and the absence of a structured dialogue process.
On the same day, Pakistan and India also shared lists of prisoners under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. Pakistan provided details about 257 Indian prisoners in its custody, including 58 civilians and 199 fishermen. India was expected to reciprocate by sharing a list of Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails.
The FO said the exchange was aimed at facilitating consular access and prompt repatriation of prisoners, particularly those who have completed their sentences.
The continuation of these routine diplomatic exchanges coincided with a rare public interaction between senior representatives of the two countries in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar were seen briefly shaking hands on the sidelines of the state funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
The interaction, which was widely circulated on social media and regional media, marked the first face-to-face contact between high-level officials since the recent hostilities.
However, the FO attempted to downplay any political significance attributed to the meeting, and the spokesperson said it would not go beyond the speaker’s own public explanation of the meeting.
While limited diplomatic protocols have continued, Islamabad has simultaneously expressed strong concerns over India’s alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), particularly reports that New Delhi approved the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in illegally Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to a question during the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the reports raised “serious concerns” as India had not shared prior information about the project, as required by the 1960 treaty.
He said Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner had formally sought clarification from his Indian counterpart on the project’s design, scope and potential impact on downstream water flows.
The spokesperson reiterated that India could not unilaterally exploit its limited rights under the treaty and emphasized that any project in the western rivers was subject to strict design, operational and information-sharing requirements.
He added that the Indus Waters Treaty remained a binding international agreement and noted that recent rulings by the Court of Arbitration had reaffirmed its validity.
The FO briefing also covered a wide range of regional and international developments. Pakistan expressed deep concern over the resurgence of violence in Yemen, reaffirming its support for the country’s unity and territorial integrity and opposing unilateral actions that could further destabilize the region.
Islamabad also reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supported regional efforts aimed at reducing tension.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a telephone conversation during which they discussed regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The Saudi crown prince expressed his desire to pay an official visit to Pakistan next year.
The spokesperson also highlighted Pakistan’s strong condemnation of any attempt to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, rejecting in particular Israel’s alleged recognition of the so-called Somaliland region. Pakistan joined several Muslim countries in issuing a joint statement condemning the move as a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Regarding Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan’s diplomatic missions were coordinating the safe return of Pakistani citizens following the border closure, adding that Islamabad continued to urge Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
