Will Continue Diplomatic Efforts With Pak: MEA on Kulbhushan Case

Pakistan on Thursday denied India a second consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav.

(Photo: The Quint)

After Pakistan on Thursday, 12 September, refused India a second consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former Naval officer sentenced to death, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India will continue their efforts to implement the International Court of Justice’s judgment.

"There would be no second consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav," Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said earlier in the day.

Responding to Pakistan’s statement, Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson said India would like to be in touch with Pakistan through diplomatic channels.

“We will keep trying that judgment of ICJ is fully implemented. We would like to remain in touch with the Pakistani side through diplomatic channels.”

Raveesh Kumar, Spokesperson MEA

Pakistan had offered the first consular access to Jadhav on 2 August and India had insisted the consular access ought to be "effective and unhindered".

A month later, India's Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan Gaurav Ahluwalia, on 2 September, met Jadhav in the presence of Pakistani officials.

Following the meeting, Ahluwalia had said it was "clear that Shri Jadhav appeared to be under extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan's untenable claims".

BACKGROUND

Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in 2017 on charges of espionage and terrorism. According to Pakistan, Jadhav was arrested from the restive Balochistan province, where he was working as a spy for the external intel agency.

India took Pakistan to the International Court of Justice, a month after Jadhav was sentenced, calling the trial farcical.

The UN court, in July, said the death sentence should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviewed and reconsidered the conviction.

Earlier, Islamabad had repeatedly refused India's request for consular access, claiming spies are not allowed such privileges under an agreement made with India in 2008.