It said India attaches high priority to addressing humanitarian issues including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody.
In a goodwill gesture, India on Monday released seven Pakistani civilian prisoners, taking the total number of jailed inmates repatriated to the neighbouring country in the last one week to 21.
"Seven Pakistan civilian prisoners were repatriated today. Earlier, 14 Pakistani fishermen were released and repatriated on August 7," the ministry of external affairs said.
It said India attaches high priority to addressing humanitarian issues including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody.
Pakistan also freed 30 Indian prisoners, including 27 fishermen, who were languishing in jails in that country. Pakistan on Sunday released 27 Indian fishermen from jail as a goodwill gesture, a day before newly-elected Parliament's maiden meeting to start the process of handing over powers to the new government, media reports said.
The fishermen had been arrested by the authorities for allegedly trespassing into Pakistan's territorial waters.
They were shifted to Cantt Railway Station from Karachi's Malir jail and will be taken to Lahore, The News International reported.
According to Saad Edhi, an official of the Edhi foundation, the charity has paid the travel expenses for the released Indian fishermen.
Speaking to reporters at the railway station, Edhi called on the governments of Pakistan and India to relax the rules for the poor fishermen.
"They represent the poorest section of two countries. They should be freed as early as possible and there should be less restrictions on fishing," he said.
The release of the prisoners by the two countries came days before the swearing-in of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan as the country's new prime minister.
The MEA said Pakistan has released a total of 178 Indian prisoners in the current year.
Imran Khan is scheduled to take oath on August 18. The PTI emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 elections in Pakistan.
President Mamnoon Hussain has already summoned the maiden session of National Assembly, the lower house, at 10 am in parliament house here.
Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.
Owing to lengthy and slow bureaucratic and legal procedures, the fishermen usually remain in jail for several months.
A number of non-governmental organisations in both India and Pakistan have raised the issue, pressing their governments to release the arrested fishermen without delay.
Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border between the two countries in the Arabian Sea.
The two countries usually release each other's prisoners ahead of their Independence Day celebrations.
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