ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged lists of nuclear installations and each other’s nationals detained in their jails.

Exchange of these lists has now become a diplomatic ritual followed by both countries at the start of each year. It continued to happen even during heightened tensions in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attack.

The exchange of lists of nuclear installations and facilities happened for the 22nd consecutive time this year. The first such exchange took place on Jan 1, 1992.

“In accordance with the agreement a list of requisite facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Foreign Office today at 1130hrs (PST). The Indian side also handed over its list to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi at 1200hrs (IST),” Foreign Office Spokesman Moazzam Khan said.

The two governments are required to exchange lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India of Dec 31, 1988. The agreement went into effect on Jan 27, 1991.

The two countries also exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.

“According to the Agreement on Consular Access signed between Pakistan and India on 21 May 2008, both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year – on 1 January and 1 July, respectively,” the spokesman said. The agreement on consular access was signed on May 21, 2008.

Pursuant to this agreement, the ministry of foreign affairs handed over the list of Indian prisoners in Pakistan to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday.