APD | Diplomat meets Indian national in Pakistan’s jail

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

On Monday, Indian deputy high commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia met Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national lodged in a prison in Islamabad.

Jadhav has been lodged in the prison since the last few years on charges of spying for India. However, the Indian authorities as well as Jadhav refute the accusation.

Earlier, in December 2017, Jadhav’s mother and wife were allowed to meet him. Nevertheless, this was the first time that he got access to consular services.

Before meeting Jadav, Ahluwalia also met Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal and then proceeded to meet Jadav.

The case of Jadav has become a significant issue between India and Pakistan and the two have also sought the help of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve it. Currently New Delhi and Islamabad are working on the directions of ICJ.

Speaking about the issue before the meeting the Ministry of External Affairs said, “We hope that Pakistan will ensure right atmosphere so that the meeting is free, fair, meaningful and effective in keeping with the letter and spirit of the ICJ orders”.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)