New Delhi, January 1, 2025: India and Pakistan on Thursday carried out their annual exchange of lists detailing nuclear installations and facilities, continuing a long-standing confidence-building measure even as bilateral relations remain tense following military hostilities last year.
The exchange was conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in accordance with the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. Confirming the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said both countries shared the required information as mandated under the pact.
Signed on December 31, 1988, and brought into force on January 27, 1991, the agreement obliges India and Pakistan to exchange lists of their nuclear installations every year on January 1. This year’s exchange marks the 35th consecutive occasion since the first such exercise took place in 1992.
The agreement is aimed at preventing attacks on sensitive nuclear facilities and reducing the risk of escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours by ensuring transparency regarding designated installations.
Despite continued political and military strain in relations, the uninterrupted implementation of this agreement for more than three decades highlights a rare area of sustained cooperation between the two countries, underscoring the importance both sides attach to nuclear safety and strategic stability in the region.
