Pak considering India''s response to offer on Jadhav

Smita Sharma 

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

India has responded to Pakistan’s note verbale offering a meeting between Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife. The proposal, in a sudden development, was made on November 10 by Pakistan foreign office through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

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“The Government of Pakistan has decided to arrange a meeting of Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav with his wife, in Pakistan, purely on humanitarian grounds,” said a formal release.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad confirmed having received the response.

Pakistan Foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal wrote on twitter, “Indian Reply to Pakistan's Humanitarian offer for Commander Jadhav received & is being considered.”

Sources suggest the development is being viewed in a positive light and the modalities for the process could be discussed in the next few days, though it is learnt that New Delhi has also sought some clarifications in its response.

A former Indian naval officer sentenced to death by the Pakistan military court, Jadhav has been languishing in a Pakistani jail since March 3, 2016 on serious charges of espionage and conspiring to destabilise restive Balochistan province. But despite repeated requests from the Indian side, consular access has not been granted to Jadhav so far with India dragging the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ in Hague in its provisional order in May directed a stay on the pending execution subject to completion of trial. Pakistan has to submit its response on the case to the ICJ by December 13.

Sushma Swaraj had informed Jadhav’s mother Avantika personally about the ICJ interim order. India has been pushing for a meeting between Jadhav’s mother and him the last many months. Details about Jadhav’s wife remain very sketchy. And it is not known if an Indian diplomat will be allowed to accompany said wife for the proposed meet.

Islamabad accuses Jadhav having an alias Hussain Mubarak Patel and of being a RAW agent. It was alleged he confessed to his crimes in front of a magistrate, with the video tape played out in a press conference. India rejects these charges calling Jadhav a retired naval officer who was abducted from Iran.

Jadhav’s mercy plea is currently with the Army chief and according to sources, it will also go the Supreme Court before reaching the Pakistan President’s office for a final decision.