Islamabad: India on Tuesday sought Kulbhushan
Jadhav’s access, who was sentenced to death by Pakistani military court for
alleged espionage. Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad told
Gautam Bambawale during his meeting with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tahmina
Jangua. On April 19, a meeting between Bombawale and Janjua was rescheduled. Pakistan
has refused India's requests for consular access to 46-year-old Jadhav, more
than a dozen times in the last one year. Pakistan Army has already dismissed an
opportunity to grant consular access to Jadhav, who was sentenced to death for
espionage and destructive activities.
On April 14, Bambawal met Pakistani
Foreign Secretary, India's concern about Jadhav's fate is increasing. He told
the media after his meeting that he had asked for a copy of the list of charges
and the actual copy of the decision of the military tribunal against Jadhav so
that the appeal against his punishment could begin.
He also said that Indian international law
grants consular access on a humanitarian basis. The Foreign Office of Pakistan
has said that proper judicial proceeding was followed during Jadhav's hearing
and he was given an attorney according to the relevant laws and the
Constitution of Pakistan.
Jadhav had been sentenced to death by the
Field General Court Marshal at the beginning of this month, citing a sharp
reaction in India, Pakistan had warned that if "the former psychiatrist
was killed" then Pakistan would have to face the dire consequences at
bilateral relations.
Pakistan claims that its security forces
had arrested Jadhav from the peaceful Balochistan province on March 3 last year
on the border area of Iran. It was also claimed that he was "a serving
officer in the Indian Navy."
After his arrest, the Pakistani army
released a "unity" video of Jadhav. However, India denied Pakistan's
rank and said that Jadhav was abducted by Pakistani officials.
India had acknowledged that Jadhav had
worked with the Navy, but he denied that there was any connection with his
government.