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India Releases Pakistani Prisoners


Pakistan says India has released 37 Pakistani prisoners.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says five civil prisoners and 32 fishermen were freed from Indian jails on Friday.

The Pakistani ministry says 484 Pakistani prisoners remain imprisoned in the neighboring country.

The release comes just days after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held talks with new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Indian capital, New Delhi. Sharif attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Monday, the first time a Pakistani leader has done so.

Prime Minister Sharif called the meeting "a historic opportunity for both countries."

Longtime rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. Sharif said Tuesday that he hoped he and Modi can succeed in "turning a new page" in relations.

The nuclear-armed neighbors often free each other's prisoners as a good-will gesture.

On Monday, the Pakistani prime minister directed that 150 Indian fishermen and one civil prisoner be released from Pakistani jails.
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