Pak Military Says India Given Consular Access To Kulbhushan Jadhav After It Accepted 5 Conditions

Jadhav, 49, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” in April 2017, following which India had moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a stay on his death sentence and further remedies.

Charge d’Affaires at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad Gaurav Ahluwalia met Jadhav on Monday for two hours after Pakistan granted consular access to the retired Indian Navy officer following a directive from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July.

Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan put forward five conditions for the consular access and “India accepted the conditions”.

He did not provide any further details of the conditions. 

The Foreign Office on Monday said in a statement that the consular access happened “in the presence of officials of the Government of Pakistan.

On India’s request, there was no restriction on the language of communication, the FO said, adding that the “access was recorded”.

Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan put forward five conditions for the consular access and 'India accepted the conditions'.
• Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor did not provide any further details of the conditions. 
• Pakistan claims Jadhav was arrested from the restive Balochistan province on March 3, 2016.