Change Barely Neighbors Exchange Lists

Change Barely Neighbors Exchange Lists  

India and Pakistan on December 31 exchanged lists of nuclear installations, civilian prisoners, and fishermen of their respective countries. This annual exchange as per the bilateral agreements of continued existence took place even when things were bad between the countries in terms of diplomats' activities.  

As per the 1988 Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations, both the countries have entered into an arrangement in which they exchanged the details about the locations of the nuclear sites. Besides, in a 2008 agreement, the countries exchanged lists on civilian prisoners and fishermen as a humanitarian gesture that continues despite the veneer of political enmity.  

While these exchanges do seem to create some illusion of procedural cooperation, critics say such measures are more cosmetic than real. The slow pace of repatriation of the long-suffering prisoners, most of whom languish in jails for years, speaks volumes about the deep-seated mistrust harbored by both neighbors.  

"The importance of dialogue at even the worst times is signaled by this action," observers say. However, given recent border skirmishes and the pungent political rhetoric, there's much uncertainty over anything meaningful changing.  

To some extent, the exchanges seem to give dismal hope to families waiting for their loved ones to come home and expose the limitations of diplomacy under present circumstances. As both countries move into a new year, they upgrade the question whether these agreements can be sustained as real and moving toward peace or merely hollow traditions.