Kulbhushan Jadhav: Sitharaman calls Pakistan’s move to allow former navy officer meet wife ‘good humanitarian gesture’

A day after Pakistan announced to allow former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadav to meet his wife, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday called the move a ‘good humanitarian gesture.’

Sitharaman during a press conference in Ahmedabad said, “I learnt about Pakistan's decision from the media. I don't know what is the position on allowing Jadhav’s wife to visit him, but it is a good gesture. It will boost Jadhav's morale in jail."

The defence minister also added that India has approached the International Court of Justice (on the issue). “We are making all efforts to get Kulbhushan Jadhav released from Pakistan prison,” she added.

Jadhav a former Indian Navy officer has been accused of being an agent of India foreign intelligence service, Research and Analysis Wing. He has been sentenced to death for alleged espionage by Pakistan court and is currently in Pakistan prison.

Pakistan had been denying repeated requests from New Delhi consular to allow Jadhav meet his wife. But, on Saturday Islamabad informed the Indian High Commission that it would allow the former navy officer to meet his wife.

Also read: Pakistan allows meeting of Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife on humanitarian grounds

Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Saturday had said, “The government of Pakistan has decided to arrange a meeting of Jadhav with his wife in the country, purely on humanitarian grounds."

Also read| Pakistan's claim on Jadhav’s swapping with Peshawar attacker another imaginary lie: India