India, Pakistan swap 600 prisoners

While India released 152 Pakistani prisoners, including 51 fishermen, Pakistan set free 435 Indians who have been languishing in jails in that country for years.

As the two iron gates across the white William Radlcliffe line that separates India and Pakistan at Wagah opened last morning, the prisoners from both sides walked to freedom and stepped into the soil they belong, heralding a new chapter in their lives.

Earlier, the prisoners were brought to Wagah border from jails in different regions of India and Pakistan for handing over to their respective authorities.

Welcoming the exchange of prisoners, local member of parliament of Amritsar and former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Siddhu said "it is a good beginning and the desire for peace on both sides of the border is growing."

"After all, the culture on both sides of the border is the same and what happened today marks a good start which will bring good results," the MP said.

The exchange of fishermen, agreed to between the two countries at their Home Secretary level talks here late last month, comes two days before Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York where the two leaders are expected to review the progress of the peace process between the two sides.

One of the biggest swaps of prisoners between India and Pakistan yesterday symbolised a marked shift in the confidence building measures between the two nuclear-powered South Asian neighbours.