In a longstanding tradition dating back to 1992, Bharat and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations on Monday, adhering to the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. The exchange, despite strained relations, took place through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.
The Agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, and enforced on January 27, 1991, requires both nations to share information about covered nuclear installations on the first of January each year. The 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists occurred on January 1, 2024, with both sides maintaining a level of confidentiality regarding specific details.
The tradition persists even as formal talks between the two nations have been nonexistent since the conclusion of the composite dialogue in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. These attacks, carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, resulted in strained relations and led to a hiatus in formal communication.
Despite attempts by political leaders to resume contact, terror attacks originating from Pakistan-based groups disrupted these efforts. Notably, the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack, attributed to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, brought Bharat and Pakistan close to hostilities.
However, back-channel contacts, involving intelligence and security officials meeting in third countries, played a pivotal role in reviving the ceasefire on the Line of Control in February 2021. The situation remains delicate, marked by a history of tensions and periodic efforts to thaw relations.
Comments