New Delhi: 631 Indian fisherman and two civilian detainees who have served their sentences and whose nationality has been verified have been requested to be released and repatriated by India from Pakistan. The remaining 30 fishermen and 22 civilian inmates who have been held by Pakistan and are thought to be Indian citizens have also been asked to receive quick consular access, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
India made the request as part of a 2008 agreement that established a routine for the two nations to exchange lists of civilian detainees and fishermen on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year. In order to secure the “safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian detainees and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India,” the MEA stated that Pakistan has been asked. According to the MEA, India released lists of the 339 civilian prisoners from Pakistan and the 95 fishermen who are now being held in Indian custody.
According to a statement from MEA, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of the civilian detainees and fishermen they were holding through diplomatic channels at New Delhi and Islamabad at the same time. According to the report, the government has demanded the immediate release from Pakistani custody of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen and their boats.