New Delhi, January 1. According to a decades-old practice, India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged their respective lists of nuclear installations through diplomatic channels.
“India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installation and Facilities between India and Pakistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release.
“The Agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991, provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the 34th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.”
The exchange of nuclear installation lists between India and Pakistan is a pivotal confidence-building measure (CBM) that underscores the commitment of both nations to nuclear non-proliferation and the maintenance of regional peace and stability. By providing a comprehensive list of nuclear installations, both nations ensure that any potential military actions do not inadvertently target such facilities, which could escalate into a full-scale nuclear confrontation.
The agreement fosters transparency in military and nuclear operations, which helps reduce the risk of misunderstandings and promotes stability.
The annual exchange of nuclear installation lists between India and Pakistan is a small but significant step toward maintaining peace in a volatile region. While it does not address the root causes of their rivalry, it provides a critical mechanism to manage one of the most dangerous aspects of their conflict: the threat of nuclear war. By continuing to honour this agreement, India and Pakistan demonstrate that even amid discord, mutual survival and respect for international norms remain shared priorities.
