India calls upon Pakistan to release Kulbhushan Jadhav

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New Delhi: India has called upon Pakistan to release and repatriate Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav following International Court of Justice’s verdict.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the ICJ’s judgment is not only a vindication for India and Jadhav but for all those who believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of international treaties.

“Mr Kulbhushan Jadhav is innocent of the charges made against him. His forced confession without legal representation and due process will not change this reality. We once again call upon Pakistan to release and repatriate him forthwith,” Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha.

The Minister said the ICJ pronounced that Pakistan had breached relevant obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relation. He said the Court also declared that Pakistan is under an obligation to inform Jadhav without further delay of his rights and to provide India consular access to him.

Also Read: ICJ Asks Pakistan To Review Kulbhushan Jadhav’s Death Sentence 

Jaishankar said the government will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure his safety and well being as well as his early return to India.

“His family has shown exemplary courage in difficult circumstances. I can assure the government will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure his safety and well being, as well as his early return to India,” he told the parliament.

The Minister addressed both the Houses of parliament on the Kulbhushan Jadav verdict.

Kulbhushan Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was arrested by Pakistan in March 2016. He was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” after a closed trial in April 2017.

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