India Urges Pakistan to Expedite Release of 183 Prisoners Who Have Completed Their Sentence
#IndiaPakistan #PrisonerRelease #Fishermen #DiplomaticRelations #MEA
New Delhi, January 1, 2025 — On January 1, 2025, India urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistani custody. The request was made during the biannual exchange of prisoner lists between the two countries, a routine established under the 2008 agreement between India and Pakistan, which takes place on January 1 and July 1 every year.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has requested that Pakistan promptly release the prisoners along with their boats and facilitate the return of Indian defense personnel who may still be in Pakistani custody. The MEA also emphasized the need for immediate consular access to 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not yet been granted consular access.
This call for action underscores the ongoing concerns over the welfare of Indian nationals held in Pakistan, particularly fishermen who often stray into Pakistani waters inadvertently. The request also highlights the importance of diplomatic channels for humanitarian concerns between the two nations.
The Indian government continues to engage diplomatically with Pakistan to ensure the safe and timely return of all nationals who have served their sentences and are entitled to repatriation. India’s request is in line with the longstanding practice of mutual cooperation on prisoner exchanges between the two countries.
#IndiaPakistanRelations #PrisonerExchange #FishermenRelease #ConsularAccess #DiplomaticRelations #MEA
