News Desk |
On Friday, Pakistan allowed an Indian official consular access to hold a meeting with convicted RAW spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, in line with the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), however, the meeting could not take place after New Delhi attempted to extract further demands from Islamabad.
Reports emanating from Indian media reveal that the Modi-led government has “virtually turned down” Pakistan’s generous gesture to provide consular access to a convicted spy involved in multiple terror attacks claiming countless innocent lives.
In a new series of demands, New Delhi has asked Pakistan to provide “unimpeded” consular access so the Indian officials can assist Kulbhushan Jadav in an environment that is devoid of “fear of intimidation.”
Indian Response Awaited
The meeting was scheduled to be held at 3pm on Friday, however, addressing a press briefing in New Delhi, official spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar stated that New Delhi is pondering over Pakistan’s offer for consular access. The Indian spokesperson did not provide a time and date for the scheduled meeting.
Raveesh Kumar said, “We are evaluating Pakistan’s proposal in light of the judgment of the International Court of Justice, and we will respond to Pakistan through diplomatic channels. We still have to deliberate over our response.”
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar briefs media over the proposal received from Pakistan regarding consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. #ITVideohttps://t.co/NounxnP7mg pic.twitter.com/2QCHYdVVVo
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 1, 2019
Declining to comment on further details and “modalities”, the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson noted that India will provide Pakistan a timely response after conducting the relevant evaluations, and the communication will be conducted through diplomatic channels.
Sources cited in Indian media report that the Indian response to Pakistan’s proposal will include the demands of “unimpeded consular access”. The Times of India quoted an Indian diplomatic source as saying, “Pakistan has been asked yesterday to provide unimpeded consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, in an environment free from the fear of intimidation and reprisal, in the light of the orders of the ICJ. Their response in now awaited.”
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan announced its decision to provide consular access to convicted RAW spy Jadhav. Addressing the weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office Dr. Muhammad Faisal, official spokesperson for MoFA, noted, “We have offered the Indian High Commission to avail consular access on Friday [today]. The reply from the Indian side is awaited.”
Humiliating Defeat at ICJ
The verdict of the ICJ was a mortifying defeat for Indian agendas of maligning Pakistan and presenting it as a terror-sponsoring state in the international community. The ICJ did not annul the conviction order handed to Jadhav by Pakistan’s military court, and the case was not referred for a retrial either. In fact, the ICJ ordered Pakistan to review the case and reconsider the judgment as per its own constitutional boundaries.
India loses ICJ case…Acquittal and release of Kulbhushan denied, military court conviction not in violation of intl law…Only Consular access allowed…A great victory for Pakistan to make the world accept Indian terror export into Pakistan…#ICJverdict pic.twitter.com/HDEp1XnscP
— Andleeb Abbas (@AndleebAbbas) July 17, 2019
Pakistan was allowed to choose the means and mediums of carrying out an “effective review and reconsideration” of the judgment, while the sanctity of Pakistan’s military courts were upheld in the international community.
Kulbhushan Jadhav, a serving Indian Navy commander, was working under-cover in Balochistan on the directives of India’s premier spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and was arrested from the province on 3rd March, 2016. Jadhav had arrived in Pakistan using a fake name, Hussain Mubarak Patel, on an authentic Indian passport, which had been renewed by India twice, and used by Jadhav over 17 times.
Very well! So Is Kulbhushan Jadhav a retired Naval Officer or serving one deputed to RAW? If retired, then where is his retirement record? Who should get consular access: Jadhav or Hussain Mubarak Patel? Waiting for your informed & logical answers! https://t.co/R7nXNjBfWp
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) July 17, 2019
So far India has refused to provide any evidence or logical responses to the presence of two official Indian identities of Mr. Kulbhushan Jadhav, and his alias, Hussain Mubarak Patel.
A verdict of the Pakistani military court held Kulbhushan Jadhav responsible for creating terror networks across Pakistan, especially Balochistan and Karachi. After his detailed voluntary confession that revealed lengthy details of Indian agendas and RAW-sponsored terror plots across the country, he was sentenced to the death penalty.
On 10th April 2017, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa had ordered the death penalty for Jadhav, however, Jadhav was allowed the opportunity to challenge the verdict as per the legal processes and constitutional rights of Pakistan. In June 2017, India approached the ICJ to challenge Jadhav’s death penalty, however, the ICJ verdict turned out to be a bitter disappointment for New Delhi.
Read more: Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan officially offers consular access
Earlier this month, Pakistan had announced its decision to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said, “As a responsible state, Pakistan will grant consular access to Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav according to Pakistani laws, for which modalities are being worked out.”