India repatriates 18 Pakistani nationals via Attari-Wagah border

New Delhi [India]: Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Friday said that India repatriated 18 Pakistani nationals via the Attari-Wagah border.

The Pak High Commission said that the repatriation of these Pakistan nationals was the result of its hectic efforts. “18 Pakistan nationals imprisoned in India were repatriated to Pakistan today via Attari-Wagah border after the hectic efforts of @PakinIndia & @ForeignOfficePk & cooperation of Indian side. Our efforts will continue for early repatriation of Pakistani prisoners on completion of their sentences,” tweeted Pakistan High Commission.

Earlier on May 19, at least twenty-two Pakistan nationals were also sent back to Pakistan.
Nearly 200 Indian fishermen, who mistakenly entered Pakistan’s territorial waters, were released by the Pakistan government on June 3.

The fishermen who cross the maritime international border in the Arabian Sea are charged with violation of the Passport Act of the respective countries and are punished for a period of about six months.

The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody. In this context, Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed to be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India.

India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.

The issue occurs due to a dispute over Sir Creek between India and Pakistan. India wants to divide the estuary by following the Thalweg doctrine but Pakistan is not ready to do so which is leading it to a dispute.

According to Thalweg doctrine, if a water body is passing between two countries then it must be divided in such a way that both countries should get an equal part of the water body.

This division is impacting a central international Maritime border between Rann of Kutch and Sindh of Pakistan, which in a way is affecting both the countries’ exclusive economic zones.

The Pakistani authorities arrest them when they cross the maritime border, as well as, also seize their boats. The fishermen demanded that those seized boats should be returned back to them.

The solution to the above issue can be to provide both countries with communication and navigation kits for the fisherman so that they are aware of the border lines.

To minimize the issue, both countries should spread awareness, train the fisherman, and provide communication and navigation kits to the fisherman on a large scale so that they didn’t cross the borders.