India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations, facilities

(Representative image)

India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between the two countries.

The exchange was done through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.

Why does India, Pakistan share these details every year?

The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, 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 January of every calendar year.

The agreement prevents both countries from taking or supporting any actions that could destroy or damage each other’s nuclear installations or facilities.

It defines nuclear installations and requires each country to share the exact locations (latitude and longitude) by January 1st of each year and whenever there are changes.

However, it does not provide for detailed disclosures of nuclear-related activities. The agreement requires both countries pledges not to attack these facilities.