Pakistan Offers Third Consular Access to Kulbhushan Jadhav: Report

MEA claimed that Indian officers were not given unconditional access to Jadhav during second consular meet.

Kulbhushan Jadhav.

(Photo: The Quint)

Pakistan has offered third consular access to India for Kulbhushan Jadhav, reported news agency ANI, quoting the neighbouring country’s local media on Friday, 17 July.

A note verbale has been sent meeting India's demand to not have a security personnel during the meeting, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reportedly said.

After Thursday's second consular access, India had said that the Indian officers were not given unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional access to the former Indian Navy officer, currently in Pakistan’s custody.

Ministry also said that Pakistani officials with an “intimidating demeanour” were present in close proximity of Jadhav and consular officers despite the protests of the Indian side.

Meanwhile, according to Hindustan Times, Pakistani Foreign Minister said that the Indian officials who came to meet Jadhav on Thursday, in a second consular access, left without hearing him out.

“(Jadhav) kept asking the Indian diplomats to talk to him and they left,” claimed Qureshi, as per the report.

“They had objected to the glass that had been placed in the middle so we removed it. They had also objected to audio and video recordings so that was also not done. We fulfilled all their requests, but still they left.”

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistani Foreign Minister

Qureshi's comments are contradictory to the Indian MEA, which said, “It was also evident from a camera that was visible that the conversation with Jadhav was being recorded. He was visibly under stress and indicated that clearly to the consular officers. The arrangements did not permit a free conversation between them.”

Jadhav was detained in March 2016 for alleged involvement in espionage.