In the wake of a series of terror attacks on Indian soil launched from across the border, relations between India and Pakistan have only gone bad to worse in recent times. Pakistan’s ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) has always tried to hurt India at every opportunity it got, in an attempt to keep the Kashmir issue alive. To vindicate its wrong doings in India, Pakistan kidnaps Indian citizens from neighbouring Iran and presents them as Indian agents working in their country.
Amid all this, ordinary people are at the receiving end. Thousands of Indians, who happen to live on Indo-Pak borders, get arrested by Pakistan agencies when they accidently cross the border. Consequently, India has also arrested some Pakistani citizens who entered Indian territories. In simple words, citizens of the two nations are under arrest for no rhyme or reason. To get them freed from Pak jails, the Indian government has taken a big initiative.
After a certain amount negotiation started by the Modi government, Pakistan is ready to release and return elderly citizens, women, children and mentally challenged prisoners. They have been serving their jail term just because they mistakenly crossed the border.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan made a statement saying it has accepted the proposal of the government of India and will soon free Indian prisoners who fall under the prescribed categories. Indian foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj suggested that the two sides can progress on humanitarian issues related to releasing women, children and elderly persons.
Pakistan has responded positively and India is likely to do the same. India will also release Pakistani prisoners of the same categories. Pak foreign minister, Khwaja Asif, went a step further extending the parameter of prisoner release. He suggested that those who are above 60 and below 18 years of age, will also be freed. The same parameter will be accepted by the Indian side as well.
The initiative is seen as a thaw in their relationships after several ceasefire violations on the Line Of Control (LOC). Sources indicate that both India and Pakistan are likely to embark on the road to a comprehensive dialogue once again.
