Pakistan, India swap key lists after pulling back from brink

Pakistan and India on Thursday continued key confidence-building measures by exchanging lists of their respective nuclear installations and prisoners, even as broader bilateral relations remain strained and concerns persist over New Delhi's actions on shared water resources.

According to the Foreign Office, the two countries exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 in accordance with the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations 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 Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi.

The annual exchange, a rare surviving mechanism of engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, 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 of 257 Indian prisoners in its custody, including 58 civilians and 199 fishermen. India was expected to reciprocate by sharing a list of Pakistani prisoners detained in Indian jails.

The FO said the exchange was aimed at facilitating consular access and the early 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 earlier on Wednesday.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Indian External Affairs 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, widely circulated on social media and regional media outlets, marked the first such face-to-face contact between high-level officials since the recent hostilities.

However, the FO sought to downplay any political significance attached to the encounter, with the spokesperson saying he would not go beyond the speaker's own public explanation of the meeting.

While limited diplomatic protocols have continued, Islamabad has simultaneously voiced strong concerns over India's alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), particularly reports of New Delhi approving the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Indian Illegally 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 under the 1960 treaty.

He said Pakistan's Indus Waters Commissioner had formally sought clarification from his Indian counterpart regarding the project's design, scope and potential impact on downstream water flows.

The spokesperson reiterated that India could not unilaterally exploit its limited allowances under the treaty and stressed that any project on 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, noting 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 destabilise the region.

Islamabad also reiterated its complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed regional efforts aimed at de-escalation.

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 ties. The Saudi crown prince expressed a desire to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in the coming year.

The spokesperson also highlighted Pakistan's strong condemnation of any attempts to undermine Somalia's sovereignty, particularly rejecting Israel's reported 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.

On Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan's diplomatic missions were coordinating the safe return of Pakistani nationals following border closures, adding that Islamabad continued to urge Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil was not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.