India, Pak exchange list of nuclear installations

 

 

 

INDIA and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against nuclear Installations and facilities between both the countries. The Minister of External Affairs said that the Agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the 31st consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992. Pakistan has five operable reactors, with a further unit under construction, with China’s help. Pakistan’s nuclear weapons capabilities have arisen independently of its civil nuclear fuel cycle, using indigenous uranium. Pakistan is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons programme. Because of it, Pakistan is largely excluded from trade in nuclear plants or materials, which hinders its development of civil nuclear energy.

 

Amid this, China is positively cooperating with Pakistan’s nuclear ambition. Pakistan, as of date, has a nuclear weapons stockpile of approximately 165 warheads, according to The Arms Control Association, a neutral membership group located in the US. India, Pak share list of civilian prisoners & fishermen in their custody: INDIA and Pakistan simultaneously exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody.

 

This is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1, the Ministry of External Affairs said. India handed over lists of 282 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 73 fishermen in India’s custody to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan shared lists of 51 civilian prisoners and 577 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are believed to be Indians. The Government has called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners and 356 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 182 Indian fishermen and 17 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan’s custody and are believed to be Indian.