India yet to get access to ‘spy’ Kulbhushan Jadhav

NEW DELHI: India has criticised Pakistan for its refusal to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, arrested on charges of spying, even five days after New Delhi’s request. External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that India was concerned about Jadhav’s wellbeing as Pakistan had refused to follow internationally-established norms.

“Despite our request, we have not been given consular access to an Indian national under detention in a foreign country, as is the accepted international practice. We are naturally concerned about his well-being in these circumstances,” Swarup said in a statement in New Delhi on Tuesday. Rebuffing a video circulated by Pakistan he said: “The video has this individual making statements which have no basis. That the individual claims to make the statements of his own free will not only challenges credulity but clearly indicates tutoring.”

“India categorically rejects allegations that this individual was involved in subversive activities in Pakistan at Delhi’s behest. Our enquiries reveal that he apparently was being harassed while operating a legitimate business from Iran. While we probe this aspect further, his presence now in Pakistan raises questions, including the possibility of his abduction from Iran. This would become clear only if we are given consular access to him and we urge the Government of Pakistan to respond immediately to our request,” Swarup said.

According to sources, Jadhav was arrested several weeks ago by the Pakistan Army but the news of his arrest was timed ahead of the Iranian president’s visit to raise the issue with the visiting leader in an attempt to drive a wedge between New Delhi and Tehran when ties were on the upswing. According to sources, the Pakistan Army is trying to target India’s commercial interest in Chabahar Port and raise an alarm over New Delhi’s growing presence in the region.