India and Pak. exchange list of nuclear installations

Source- This post is based on the article “India, Pakistan conduct annual exchange of list of nuclear installations” published in “The Hindu” on 1st January 2023.

Why in the News?

India and Pakistan recently exchanged lists of nuclear installations under a bilateral pact that prohibits attacks on each other’s atomic facilities. Additionally, both countries exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody.

What is the Agreement between India and Pakistan?

1) On December 31, 1988, India and Pakistan signed an agreement that prohibits either country to attack nuclear installations and facilities of the other.

2) The agreement came into force on January 27, 1991 and the first exchange of such a list took place on January 1, 1992.
Note- This marks the 33rd consecutive exchange of these lists between the two countries.

3) On January 1 of every calendar year, both nations are required to notify each other about their respective nuclear facilities to be covered under the agreement.

4) Coverage- The term “nuclear installations and facilities” encompasses nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotopes separation, reprocessing facilities, and any establishments storing substantial quantities of radioactive materials, including those with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form.

UPSC Syllabus- International Relations