On New Year's Day, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities, as well as details of prisoners held in each other's custody,. This annual practice, now in its 35th consecutive year, is mandated by bilateral agreements between the two countries. The exchange occurred through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

The exchange of nuclear installation lists is conducted under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. This agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, and enforced from January 27, 1991, requires both nations to inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement on the first of January each year. The first exchange of lists occurred on January 1, 1992.

Simultaneously, the countries exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, following the provisions of the Bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008. India provided Pakistan with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. Pakistan, in turn, shared information on 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

India has called on Pakistan for the early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel. The Indian government also urged Pakistan to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India requested immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan who have not yet received it. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the need to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen pending their release.

According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan provided India with a list of 257 Indian prisoners currently held in Pakistani jails. Pakistan exchanges lists of prisoners with India twice a year to ensure transparency and address issues related to detained nationals.

Despite strained relations and military hostilities last May, these exchanges highlight the continuation of bilateral protocols and confidence-building measures between the two countries. Relations between Islamabad and New Delhi reached a low point after an attack in Pahalgam in May 2025, resulting in a four-day conflict.

In a related development, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shook hands in Dhaka on Wednesday. This marked the first high-level contact between Pakistani and Indian officials since the military conflict in May. The two leaders were in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.