ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclearinstallations on January 1, 2026, upholding a vital confidence-buildingmeasure amid persistent regional tensions. The exchange, conducted throughdiplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, marked the35th consecutive year of this practice. It underscores the enduringrelevance of the bilateral agreement signed on December 31, 1988, whichprohibits attacks on each other’s nuclear facilities. This routine yetsignificant step occurs despite deep-freeze in overall relations, includingfallout from recent military hostilities, highlighting the pact’s role inaverting escalation risks in South Asia’s nuclearised environment.
The Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installationsand Facilities was formalised in 1988 amid concerns over potentialpre-emptive strikes on atomic sites. It entered into force on January 27,1991, after ratification. Under its provisions, both nations commit torefrain from any action, direct or indirect, aimed at destroying ordamaging nuclear installations in the other country. The annual exchange oflists every January 1 serves as a transparency mechanism, identifyingprotected sites such as power reactors, research facilities, fuelfabrication units, and storage locations for radioactive materials. Thisprocess reduces the likelihood of miscalculation during crises.
The origins of the agreement trace back to heightened fears in themid-1980s, particularly following India’s Brasstacks military exercise in1986-87, which raised alarms in Pakistan about possible attacks on nascentnuclear facilities. Negotiations culminated in the signing by PrimeMinisters Rajiv Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto. Since the first exchange onJanuary 1, 1992, the ritual has persisted uninterrupted, even through wars,crises like Kargil in 1999, the 2001-02 standoff, Mumbai attacks in 2008,and Pulwama-Balakot events. It remains one of the few institutional linksbetween the nuclear-armed neighbours.
This year’s exchange, the 35th, demonstrates the agreement’s resilience asa nuclear risk-reduction tool. The Ministry of External Affairs in NewDelhi and Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed the simultaneous handover oflists to respective high commissions. While details of the lists remainclassified, they typically include coordinates of facilities covered underthe pact’s definition. The measure promotes stability by ensuring bothsides possess accurate information, thereby minimising chances ofinadvertent targeting during conventional conflicts.
Experts view the pact as a foundational confidence-building measure inSouth Asia, predating the 1998 nuclear tests that openly established bothcountries as nuclear weapon states. Despite the absence of broader armscontrol dialogues, this agreement has withstood political volatility. Itcomplements other limited mechanisms, though implementation reviews havebeen infrequent. The exchange also coincides with annual prisoner listsunder the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, though the nuclear lists standout for their strategic importance.
The continuation of this practice on the first day of 2026 carries symbolicweight, starting the year with a gesture of restraint. Amid ongoinggeopolitical challenges and modernisation of arsenals, the agreement helpsmitigate escalation ladders in a region with dense populations nearpotential conflict zones. Analysts note that while it does not limitnuclear weapons development or deployment, it specifically safeguardsinstallations vital for civilian and military nuclear programs.
In a broader context, the ritual exchange reinforces the concept of mutualvulnerability in nuclear deterrence. Both nations recognise thecatastrophic consequences of attacking declared facilities, which couldtrigger uncontrolled escalation. The pact’s survival highlights pragmaticdiplomacy, even when public rhetoric remains confrontational. As South Asianavigates evolving security dynamics, including advancements in missiletechnology and emerging domains, such measures remain essential forstrategic stability.
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The 1988 agreement and its annual implementation exemplify how targetedbilateral accords can endure beyond general relations. It provides a rarechannel for communication on sensitive issues, fostering predictability inan otherwise unpredictable rivalry. This year’s exchange, occurring onschedule, reaffirms commitment to the principle that nuclear facilitiesshould remain off-limits, contributing to regional peace despite underlyingtensions.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-pakistan-exchange-list-of-nuclear-installations/article70459958.ece
Tags: Pakistan, India, Nuclear Facilities, 1988 Agreement
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