India, Pakistan Complete Exchange of Nuclear Facility Information

India and Pakistan have continued an important diplomatic tradition related to nuclear safety. Both countries exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities through official diplomatic channels. This step reflects an established confidence-building mechanism aimed at reducing risks and maintaining strategic stability in South Asia.

Why in the News?

India and Pakistan exchanged their lists of nuclear installations on January 1 as mandated under a bilateral agreement. This exchange, carried out simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, marks the 35th consecutive year of compliance with the agreement meant to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities.

About the Agreement

• The exchange takes place under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities.
• The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991.
• It obligates both countries to inform each other annually about nuclear installations and facilities covered under the pact.

Key Features of the Agreement

• The agreement prohibits either country from attacking or assisting in attacks on nuclear installations.
• It requires both sides to exchange updated lists of such facilities every year on January 1.
• The mechanism applies to civilian and strategic nuclear installations, helping reduce miscalculations and misunderstandings during periods of tension.

2025 Exchange Details

• The latest exchange was conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
• According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this is the 35th consecutive exchange, with the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
• The uninterrupted continuation highlights adherence to agreed nuclear confidence-building measures.

Significance for Bilateral Relations

• Despite strained political relations, this annual exchange shows that both countries continue to honour critical safety-related agreements.
• It helps maintain strategic restraint, lowers the risk of accidental escalation, and supports regional nuclear stability.
• Such mechanisms are especially important given the nuclear-armed status of both nations.

India-Pakistan Nuclear CBMs

• Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) are steps taken to reduce mistrust between rival states.
• India and Pakistan have several nuclear CBMs, including advance notification of ballistic missile tests and hotline communication between military officials.
• The nuclear installations list exchange is one of the oldest and most consistently followed CBMs between the two countries.

About Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations

• Signed: December 31, 1988 & By Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto and Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi
• Came into force: January 27, 1991
• Languages: Two copies each in Urdu and Hindi

Need for the Agreement

• In 1986, India conducted ‘Brasstacks’ military exercise, raising fears of a potential attack on nuclear facilities.
• Both India and Pakistan started negotiating to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities, leading to this treaty.

Key Provisions

• Both countries must inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities every year on January 1.
• This acts as a confidence-building measure to reduce the risk of attacks.

Key Summary At Glance

Aspect	Details
Why in news?	India and Pakistan exchanged nuclear installations list
Agreement name	Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations
Year signed	1988
First exchange	1992
Current exchange count	35th
Purpose	Nuclear safety and confidence-building
Conducted by	Diplomatic channels

Question

Q. In which year was the agreement on prohibiting attacks against nuclear installations signed?

A) 1985
B) 1988
C) 1991
D) 1992