New Delhi, January 1: The Indian and Pakistani governments on Wednesday swapped the list of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody. The exchange of list, on New Year's Day, is in accordance to the 2008 agreement inked between the two neighbours which mandates the exchanging of list of prisoners in each other's custody. The list would next be changed on July 1. India, Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations, Facilities.

"India handed over lists of 267 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen to Pakistan who are in India’s custody. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 55 civilian prisoners and 227 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or believed-to-be Indians," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement today.

The civilian prisoners involves those held for for charges ranging from criminal activities during their visit to neighbouring nations, inadvertently crossing the borders or crossing their visa tenure. The fishermen are held by naval forces for venturing beyond their respective water territories.

Update by ANI

The swapping of prisoners' and fishermen list, simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, assumes significance as both countries are undergoing a deep strain in their ties. While bilateral relationship remains virtually suspended, the relations have soared to an extent where a war-like situation seemed imminent over the past six months. The condition at the border remains tense as militaries on both sides of the fence have reiterated the possibility of a

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 01, 2020 05:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).