India-Pakistan Exchange Nuclear Site Lists Under 1988 Deal: Why It Matters for Atomic Installations

New Delhi: India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations that both the nations have, continuing a three-decade old practice that is part of a bilateral pact between the two countries.According

to the agreement, it prohibits and prevents both the nations from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.The list exchange took place under the provisions of an agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities, PTI quoted Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).It was done simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad."India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan," the MEA said in a statement.ALSO READ | How Islamabad Tried and Failed to Project Jaishankar's Dhaka Handshake with Pak Speaker as Engagement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDupITQ7ePU

What Is India-Pakistan Bilateral Pact on Nuclear Installations

• India and Pakistan signed a bilateral pact on December 31, 1988 that came into force on January 27 1991.
• The pact mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
• This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992, the MEA said in a brief statement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HLrH472fp8

The exchange of the list came even as the ties between the two countries remain under deep freeze following four-day military hostilities last May during Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack when Pakistan-backed terrorists shot dead 26 civilians who were vacationing in Jammu and Kashmir.ALSO READ | 'Had No Role': Government Sources Reject China's Mediation Claim on India-Pakistan Ceasefire

What Happened During Operation Sindoor and Why Was It Launched

India’s Operation Sindoor was a counter-terror offensive launched to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, with precision strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).It was a swift, 88-hour military campaign that began on May 7, 2025, targeting multiple Pakistani military installations and terror camps, causing extensive damage to airbases, hangars, and terror infrastructure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qBYmSW1q0&t=58s

Indian armed forces struck nine major terror camps and eleven Pakistani military installations, including the Nur Khan, Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, and Jacobabad airbases, among others.After India targeted the terror camps, Pakistan retaliated by attempting to strike India with a swarm of drones and missiles, however, none of their drones or missiles were able to hit Indian targets as a swift and full proof Indian air defence systems neutralised them mid-air.In Pahalgam terror attack, 4-5 Pakistan-backed terrorists shot dead 26 innocent civilians including 25 Indians and one Nepalese who were vacationing in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The terrorists singled out tourists on the basis of religion and targeted Hindus.With inputs from PTI