Pakistan’s Jadhav dilemma(The Hindu) And Jadhav letter was sent to Pakistan, says India(The Hindu)

Pakistan’s Jadhav dilemma(The Hindu) And Jadhav letter was sent to Pakistan, says India(The Hindu)

Context

• The Foreign Office, the Law Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the military met with their counterparts to discuss on granting consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav and to grant permission to Jadhav’s wife for a meeting with him.
• India has further responded to Pakistan’s proposal allowing former Indian naval official Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet his wife on humanitarian grounds

What was the issue?

• India claimed that Pakistan had breached its international law obligations by refusing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism.
• Jadhav, an Indian national, was arrested by Pakistani officials in 2016.
• India dismisses the charges and insists that Jadhav was a retired Navy officer.
• Pakistan alleges that Jadhav was tasked by the Indian intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan and was arrested in Balochistan.

What is the present status?

• The Pakistani offer came months after MEA had asked for a meeting between Mr. Jadhav and his mother in Pakistan.
• India has taken note of the fact that Pakistan has kept the content of the letter confidential and so far, has not revealed it to the media on the Pakistani side.
• The ICJ ordered in May not to carry out Jadhav’s execution, pending a final decision.

What is the way ahead?

• Though diplomats on both sides are tight-lipped about the way ahead, unconfirmed reports have indicated that both sides have begun to discuss the modalities and venue of the meeting.
• Reports also suggest that India might want Mr. Jadhav’s mother also to travel along with his wife.
• The timing of the humanitarian gesture is significant as it comes weeks before the International Court of Justice takes up the case once again.
• As per the decision of the court, the case will come up on December 13, which was the deadline set for Pakistan to file the counter-Memorial.