In Touch with India on Kulbhushan Jadhav: Iran’s Foreign Minister

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on spying charges in April 2017.

(Photo: Rhythum Seth/ The Quint)

Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif has confirmed that Iran is in touch with India over the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, reported India Today.

"We are always in touch with our friends in India and Pakistan on all these cases," Zarif told India Today, confirming that Tehran has been in touch with both the countries over the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Zarif has also said that Iran will not promote animosity between India and Pakistan. “We do not want Iran to become a theatre of animosity between our two friends India and Pakistan. We will work with both sides to bring the region closer to peace and security," he said.

What is the Kulbhushan Jadhav Case?

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on spying charges in April 2017. India moved the ICJ in May the same year against the verdict. The world court has halted Jadhav's execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 20 November 2018 said that India had sought diplomatic access to the former Navy officer who is currently in a Pakistani jail after being convicted there for spying on 18 November.

The minister added that Jadhav's case is listed for hearing in February in the International Court of Justice.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case from 18 to 21 February 2019 at The Hague, a statement issued by the principal judicial organ of the United Nations said on 3 October last year.

While Pakistan has claimed its security forces arrested Jadhav from its Balochistan province in March 2016 after he reportedly entered the country from Iran, India has said Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

(With inputs from India Today)