India on Thursday acknowledged Pakistan's gesture in releasing 442 of its fishermen and in turn announced the repatriation of 31 Pakistani nationals lodged in jails here. The seven fishermen and the 24 other Pakistani nationals will return to their country on September 15, said the Foreign Office in a news release.
In a letter to his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna conveyed the deep appreciation of the people and the government on the release of the 442 fishermen.
Thanks Pakistan
Thanking the Pakistan government, Mr. Krishna said he looked forward to the early release and repatriation of all Indian and Pakistani prisoners to their respective countries. The Minister also conveyed his greetings to Mr. Qureshi on the coming festival of Id-ul-Fitr and reiterated India's commitment to work with Pakistan for the common good of the peoples of the two countries.
The government said it would work with Pakistan to release and repatriate other eligible prisoners lodged in Indian jails. Pakistani civil society activists had met United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Krishna and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram seeking the release of prisoners who had strayed across the border.
