Rajya Sabha
The Government, through diplomatic channels, have been consistently taking up the issue of early release and repatriation of the Indian prisoners under Pakistan’s custody. The matter was also taken up during the Foreign Secretary level talks on June 27-28, 2004 in New Delhi, and again during the Secretary (Culture) level talks on Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in various fields, held in New Delhi on August 3-4, 2004.
The Simla Agreement has committed both India and Pakistan to address all issues bilaterally.
Pakistan has never acknowledged the presence of Indian POWs that are believed to be in Pakistan’s custody since 1972. From time to time, the returning Indian prisoners have informed that the Indians in Pakistani jails are living under difficult conditions and some have even lost their mental balance.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahame in reply to a question by Shri Motilal Vohra.
(Release ID :3312)