Jadhav met his mother and wife, thanks Pakistan foreign office

NEW DELHI: Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian sentenced to death in Pakistan, Jadhav met his wife and mother for around 45 minutes across a glass screen, more than a year after he was arrested by the Pakistani army and accused of spying. Pakistan’s foreign office tweeted photos of the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and commented: “We honour our commitments”.

After the meeting, which lasted for more than 30 minutes, the MOFA released a new video featuring Jadhav, in which he thanked the Pakistan government for allowing him to meet with his family. “I requested a meeting with my wife and mother and I am thankful to Govt of Pakistan for this grand gesture,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Earlier today, Pakistan said that it has granted India consular access to Jadhav, but Indian officials downplayed the claim. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja M Asif told Geo News that an Indian official will be allowed to be present during today’s meeting between Jadhav and his family members. Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh will be accompanying Jadhav’s wife and his mother for the meeting.

Former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav thanks Pakistan Foreign Office for allowing him to meet his mother and wife in Islamabad.

https://twitter.com/cyrusza/status/945214232081072129

India today rejected the Pakistani foreign minister’s claim that since the Indian Deputy High Commissioner accompanied the family, it constituted “consular access”. Mr Jadhav’s mother Avanti Jadhav and wife Chetankul Jadhav were accompanied by Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh more for moral support, said Indian officials.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif had earlier said allowing an Indian diplomat with the family meant consular access to the 47-year-old. Pakistan has rejected India’s request for consular access to Mr Jadhav 25 times over the past 21 months.

Also Read : Jadhav’s mother, wife reach Islamabad

Kulbhushan Jadhav’s family landed in Islamabad via Dubai around noon and as they drove to meet him, traffic was blocked on the road. Pakistan Rangers, anti-Terrorism squads and sharp shooters were posted on roof tops.

India had sought a “sovereign guarantee” from Pakistan to ensure the safety of Mr Jadhav’s family.

A former officer of the Navy, Mr Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan in April. India says he was kidnapped from Iran, where he runs a business.

India accuses Pakistan of sentencing the former naval officer to death through a “kangaroo court” and denying him his rights. The world court had halted his execution in May this year on India’s appeal.