India and Pakistan completed their 35th consecutive annual exchange of lists of nuclear installations and facilities on January 1, 2026, in accordance with the bilateral Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations and Facilities, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991. Under this agreement, both countries are required to exchange, on the first of January each year, lists of their nuclear installations and facilities that should not be attacked under any circumstances, even during armed conflict. This exchange took place through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad. The agreement is one of the few surviving confidence-building measures (CBMs) between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and has been maintained continuously since 1992, even during periods of severe bilateral tension such as the Kargil War (1999), the Parliament attack crisis (2001), and the Pulwama-Balakot episode (2019). The 35th exchange is notable as it was conducted against the backdrop of continued strained India-Pakistan relations following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and ongoing cross-border terrorism concerns. In a related development, Pakistan also shared with India a list of 257 Indian prisoners — both civilians and fishermen — currently held in Pakistani jails, through the same diplomatic channel. India and Pakistan have no current formal peace treaty but maintain several low-level communication mechanisms including the Hotline between Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) and the Indus Waters Treaty mechanism.
India-Pakistan Complete 35th Consecutive Exchange of Nuclear Installations Lists Under 1988 Agreement
35th annual India-Pakistan exchange of nuclear installations lists completed on Jan 1, 2026 under the 1988 agreement. Pakistan also shared a list of 257 Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails.
Key facts
- 35th consecutive annual exchange of nuclear installations lists between India and Pakistan completed on January 1, 2026.
- Exchange conducted under the 1988 Agreement on Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations, which came into force in 1991.
- Both countries exchange lists through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad every January 1.
- The agreement has been maintained continuously since 1992 despite major bilateral crises including Kargil, Parliament attack, and Pulwama-Balakot.
- Pakistan also shared a list of 257 Indian prisoners (civilians and fishermen) held in Pakistani jails through the same diplomatic channel.
- This is one of the few surviving Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of the 1988 India-Pakistan Agreement on Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations as a confidence-building measure.
Answer (50 words): The 35th consecutive exchange on January 1, 2026 reaffirmed the 1988 bilateral agreement, signed December 31, 1988 and effective from January 27, 1991. Maintained continuously since 1992 across Kargil, Parliament attack and Pulwama crises, it remains among the few surviving confidence-building measures between two nuclear-armed neighbours, ensuring strategic restraint.
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Frequently asked questions
Under which agreement do India and Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations annually?
India and Pakistan exchange nuclear installations lists under the **Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack on Nuclear Installations and Facilities**, signed on **December 31, 1988**, and in force since **January 27, 1991**. Under this agreement, both nations exchange lists on **January 1** every year through simultaneous diplomatic communications in New Delhi and Islamabad.
How many times have India and Pakistan exchanged nuclear installations lists, and since when?
India and Pakistan completed their **35th consecutive annual exchange** on **January 1, 2026**. The exchanges began in **1992** (the year after the agreement entered into force in 1991) and have continued unbroken — including during major bilateral crises such as the **Kargil War (1999)**, **Parliament attack (2001)**, and **Pulwama-Balakot (2019)**.
What additional information did Pakistan share along with the nuclear list in January 2026?
Along with the nuclear installations list exchange, **Pakistan shared a list of 257 Indian prisoners** — including civilians and fishermen — currently held in Pakistani jails. This was communicated through the same diplomatic channel simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad on January 1, 2026.
What is the significance of the India-Pakistan nuclear installations exchange as a CBM?
The exchange is one of the **few surviving Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)** between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. It ensures that even during conflict, nuclear facilities remain protected from attack, reducing the risk of escalation to nuclear exchange. Its continuity through wars and crises demonstrates the importance of maintaining even minimal communication channels between adversarial nuclear states.
What other communication mechanisms exist between India and Pakistan?
Besides the nuclear installations exchange, other India-Pakistan communication mechanisms include the **DGMO Hotline** (between Directors General of Military Operations), the **Indus Waters Treaty** mechanism (managed by the Permanent Indus Commission), and consular communication channels for prisoner welfare. These are described as **low-level CBMs** that persist despite the absence of formal peace talks.
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