ISLAMABAD, July 1 The government handed over to India on Wednesday a list of 585 Indian prisoners detained in Pakistan's jails. There are nine juveniles among the inmates.

“The ministry of foreign affairs handed over the list of Indian prisoners (including fishermen) in Pakistan to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.

The two countries exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody every year on Jan 1 and July 1 under an agreement on consular access signed last year.However, in violation of the agreement, India did not provide the list of Pakistani prisoners in its custody.

According to sources, the list given by Pakistan contained the names of 535 Indian fishermen, nine juveniles and 41 other people being held in different jails.

NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY India has appointed its Ambassador to China, Nirupama Rao, as its next foreign secretary.

She will assume charge on Aug 1. Shiv Shankar Menon, the incumbent, will hold talks with Pakistan's foreign secretary in Egypt on July 14.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, too, had served as Pakistan's ambassador to China before taking over his current post.