Pakistan allows Consular access to Indian spy

Kulbhushan Jadhav

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Correspondent

Islamabad: Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia on Monday met convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav at a sub-jail in Islamabad. The meeting lasted for one hour, according to reports in the local media.

Ahluwalia had arrived at the Foreign Office earlier today to meet the former Indian Navy officer who was arrested in March 2016 from the province of Balochistan.

Jadhav was accused of espionage activities and sentenced to death by a military court soon after.

Earlier, in a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Pakistan said it would provide detained spy Jadhav consular access in accordance with local laws and international agreements.

New Delhi wants unimpeded and unrestricted access to the convicted spy, according to the Indian publication Economic Times. In August, India had rejected Pakistan’s offer of consular access to Jadhav.

“We hope that the Pakistan will ensure right atmosphere so that the meeting is free, fair, meaningful and effective in keeping with the letter and spirit of the ICJ orders,” the Indian daily quoted officials as saying.

This is the first time that the convicted spy, sentenced to death by a military court, has been granted consular access.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, Jadhav “remains in Pakistan’s custody, for espionage, terrorism and sabotage.”

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told media in the federal capital last week that Pakistan was obligated to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decisions and accordingly, would provide consular access to Jadhav.

On July 17, the ICJ had dismissed New Delhi’s plea for Jadhav’s acquittal and release, concluding that India’s submission could not be upheld. It said the Indian spy’s conviction and sentence were not to be regarded as a violation of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention.

The ICJ had allowed India consular access to Jadhav and called on Islamabad Pakistan to review and reconsider his conviction and sentence.