Kulbhushan Jadhav appeared under ‘extreme pressure’ to echo Pakistan’s false narrative, says MEA

New Delhi, September 2: After three years of long wait, India finally gets consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav after winning the case in the International Court of Justice. It was for the first time, the Indian diplomat met Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan. Following the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefed Jadhav's mother about the developments. In its statement, MEA also stated that, during the meeting, it was clear that Kulbhushan Jadhav appeared to be under "extreme pressure" to echo Pakistan's false narrative.

 

Charge d’ Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia, India's Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad, met Kulbhushan Jadhav at a sub-jail for an hour. MEA also stated that, during the meeting, it was clear that Kulbhushan Jadhav appeared to be under "extreme pressure" to echo Pakistan's false narrative. Meanwhile, the MEA is awaiting a comprehensive report by the High Commission of India in Islamabad.

The MEA further informed that decision on a further course of action will be taken after the detailed report from the Charge d’ Affaires. The conformity on the extends ICJ directives from Pakistan side during the consular access will also be determined following the report.

With strained relations between India and Pakistan, the latter has shown displeasure with India's move, following which Imran Khan government has taken several steps to peddle fake news against India. India had demanded "immediate, effective and unhindered" consular access to Jadhav from Pakistan and was in touch with Islamabad through diplomatic channels. On Sunday, taking to Twitter, Pakistan foreign minister Mohammad Faisal had stated that consular access for Jadhav will be provided on September 2 "in line with Vienna Convention on Consular relations, ICJ judgement & the laws of Pakistan".

The International Court of Justice had on July 17, gave a unanimous decision (15-1) in favour of India. Pronouncing its verdict in the matter, the ICJ had called out Pakistan for violating the Vienna Convention, declaring that Pakistan had breached the Vienna Convention by not informing India about Jadhav's detention. The ICJ also verified the legality of India approaching the court in the matter and reaffirmed its jurisdiction in the case, ordering Pakistan to provide India consular access to Jadhav.