In response to media queries on the prisoners issue with Pakistan, the Official Spokesperson said:
"External Affairs Minister of India had, in October 2017, suggested to the High Commissioner of Pakistan that the two sides could progress on humanitarian issues related to elderly, women, children and mentally unsound prisoners. We note that today Pakistan
has responded positively to EAM’s suggestion to work towards the release and repatriation of prisoners over 70 years of age and women prisoners who are in each other’s custody. Further, a visit of a team of medical experts would be organised to meet the mentally
unsound prisoners so as to facilitate the repatriation of such prisoners.
It has also been agreed to resume the visits of the Joint Judicial Committee which looks into the issues of fishermen and prisoners in each other’s custody. The last visit of such a Committee had taken place in October 2013 to India. The officials on both sides
would be working on the modalities to implement the understanding reached on these humanitarian issues."