India Demands Unimpeded Consular Access To Kulbhushan Jadhav As Per ICJ Order; Rejects Pakistan’s Conditional Offer

Following the conditional offer of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav made by Pakistan, India has countered the same with a demand that it be provided ‘unimpeded’ access to the former naval officer, reports Hindustan Times.

India wants Islamabad to allow its officials contact with Jadhav “in an environment free from the fear of intimidation and reprisal.” The International Court of Justice had in July directed Pakistan to provide India consular access to Jadhav, who has been imprisoned in the country on death row.

Pakistan has also been directed to conduct a review of Jadhav’s death sentence. The former naval officer is accused by Islamabad of being an Indian spy and of involvement in terror activities in Balochistan. India has maintained that he is a retired officer and has had no link with the government after leaving his service.

As of now, Indian authorities await a Pakistani response to the demand for unimpeded access to Jadhav in accordance with the ICJ order.