The US today (May 15) urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension as they faced-off at the International Court of Justice over&nbsp;the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.

&quot;We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation,&quot; a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

When asked about the US&#39; stand on the case of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is facing the death penalty in Pakistan, the official said, &quot;We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension.&quot; 
 
Jadhav, arrested in March last year, has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities. His sentencing has become the latest flashpoint in the India-Pakistan ties. 
 
Pakistan has denied India consular access to Jadhav 16 times, claiming he was an agent of India&#39;s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). 
 
His execution was stayed last week by the ICJ, which today heard arguments presented by both the sides.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

A US state department spokesperson said India and Pakistan would benefit from 'practical co-operation'

The US today (May 15) urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to reduce tension as they faced-off at the International Court of Justice over the death penalty given to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. "We believe India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. When asked about the US' stand on the case of Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer who is facing the death penalty in Pakistan, the official said, "We encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tension." Jadhav, arrested in March last year, has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities. His sentencing has become the latest flashpoint in the India-Pakistan ties. Pakistan has denied India consular access to Jadhav 16 times, claiming he was an agent of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). His execution was stayed last week by the ICJ, which today heard arguments presented by both the sides. (PTI)

India, Pakistan should engage in direct dialogue: US on Kulbhushan Jadhav case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was last a battleground for India and Pakistan nearly 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft.

On Monday, the ICJ, which is the UN&#39;s principal judicial organ, is holding a public hearing at the Great Hall of Justice housed in the Peace Palace at The Hague in Netherlands where the two countries will be asked to present their case over the contentious Jadhav issue.

India on May 8 moved a petition before the UN Body to seek justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav, 46, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by Pakistan after its 16 requests for consular access to the former naval officer was consistently denied.

A Pakistani military court awarded death sentence to Jadhav last month for alleged espionage and subversive activities. Pakistan has also not responded to the request for visas applied by Jadhav&#39;s family. Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year.

The previous case related to shooting down of Pakistan&#39;s maritime reconnaissance aircraft Atlantique by the Indian Air Force(IAF) in the Kutch region on August 10, 1999, killing all 16 naval personnel on board. Pakistan claimed the plane was brought down in its air space and sought 60 million USD in damages from India for the incident.

A 16-judge bench of the court on June 21, 2000 voted 14-2 to dismiss Pakistan&#39;s claim. The decision was announced by bench president Gilbert Guillaume of France at a public sitting. The verdict was final and there was no appeal.

The ICJ found that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Pakistan on September 21, 1999.

Public hearings in the case titled &#39;Aerial incident of August 10, 1999 (Pakistan vs India)&#39; lasted four days ending April 6, 2000. Arguments centred on the court&#39;s jurisdiction in the case which had to be determined before its merits could be considered by the 16 judges.

The Atlantique case was ousted by the ICJ on the issue of jurisdiction and not on merits. Both parties had agreed that the question of jurisdiction would be decided first and only then would the issue of merits be taken up.

Guillaume said the court would first have to decide whether it had the jurisdiction to go into the case as contended by New Delhi after the Indian delegation led by the then Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, raised preliminary objections to its jurisdiction.

Pakistan opened the first round of oral arguments, India replying them, and then Pakistan following with its second round, with India making its response thereto.

India argued that the court did not have jurisdiction in the matter, citing an exemption it had filed way back in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth states, and disputes covered by multilateral treaties.

Sorabjee told the court that Pakistan was &quot;solely responsible&quot; for the incident and Islamabad must &quot;bear the consequences of its own acts.&quot;

Pakistan&#39;s Attorney General Aziz Munshi had sought a speedy resolution, saying its application had to be concluded quickly so that it did not remain an irritant in Indo-Pak relations.

Pakistan had also sought to politicise the case by referring to the Kashmir issue, the Kargil conflict, Indo-Pak relations and alleged motives for the shooting.

Pakistan wanted the court to intervene while India was opposed to its assumption of jurisdiction on the basis of Islamabad&#39;s application.

It urged the court to &quot;dismiss the objections raised by India and accept its jurisdiction.&quot; India maintained that none of Pakistan&#39;s arguments is &#39;sound&#39; and does not provide a basis for invoking the court&#39;s jurisdiction.

Sorabjee expressed happiness with the court&#39;s verdict. &quot;We are very happy. The court has accepted all our contentions,&quot; he had said.

Former supreme court judge B P Jeevan Reddy and Pakistan&#39;s former Attorney General Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada were co-opted into the bench as ad-hoc judges.

As per ICJ rules, when it does not include a judge possessing the nationality of the state party to a case, the state may appoint a person to sit as a judge ad-hoc for the purpose of the case.

The court also recalled that its lack of jurisdiction does not relieve States of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means.

The choice of those means admittedly rests with the parties under Article 33 of the UN Charter, it said, adding, they are nonetheless under an obligation to seek such a settlement, and to do so in good faith in accordance with the Charter.

As regards India and Pakistan, that obligation was restated more particularly in the Simla Accord of July 2, 1972. Moreover, the Lahore Declaration of 21 February, 1999 reiterated &quot;the determination of both countries to implementing the Simla Agreement,&quot; it said.

Accordingly, the court reminded the parties of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means, and in particular the dispute arising out of the Atlantique incident in conformity with the obligations which they have undertaken.

India&#39;s External Affairs Ministry while hailing the verdict especially welcomed the court&#39;s positive observations on the principles enunciated in the Simla agreement and Lahore Declaration as the basis for an Indo-Pak rapprochement.

Through its comments, the court has vindicated India&#39;s stand on these landmark agreements that are the very cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, a ministry spokesman had said.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The last time India and Pakistan went to the International Court of Justice was 18 years ago

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was last a battleground for India and Pakistan nearly 18 years ago when Islamabad sought its intervention over the shooting down of its naval aircraft. On Monday, the ICJ, which is the UN's principal judicial organ, is holding a public hearing at the Great Hall of Justice housed in the Peace Palace at The Hague in Netherlands where the two countries will be asked to present their case over the contentious Jadhav issue. India on May 8 moved a petition before the UN Body to seek justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav, 46, alleging violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by Pakistan after its 16 requests for consular access to the former naval officer was consistently denied. A Pakistani military court awarded death sentence to Jadhav last month for alleged espionage and subversive activities. Pakistan has also not responded to the request for visas applied by Jadhav's family. Jadhav was arrested on March 3 last year. The previous case related to shooting down of Pakistan's maritime reconnaissance aircraft Atlantique by the Indian Air Force(IAF) in the Kutch region on August 10, 1999, killing all 16 naval personnel on board. Pakistan claimed the plane was brought down in its air space and sought 60 million USD in damages from India for the incident. A 16-judge bench of the court on June 21, 2000 voted 14-2 to dismiss Pakistan's claim. The decision was announced by bench president Gilbert Guillaume of France at a public sitting. The verdict was final and there was no appeal. The ICJ found that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Pakistan on September 21, 1999. Public hearings in the case titled 'Aerial incident of August 10, 1999 (Pakistan vs India)' lasted four days ending April 6, 2000. Arguments centred on the court's jurisdiction in the case which had to be determined before its merits could be considered by the 16 judges. The Atlantique case was ousted by the ICJ on the issue of jurisdiction and not on merits. Both parties had agreed that the question of jurisdiction would be decided first and only then would the issue of merits be taken up. Guillaume said the court would first have to decide whether it had the jurisdiction to go into the case as contended by New Delhi after the Indian delegation led by the then Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, raised preliminary objections to its jurisdiction. Pakistan opened the first round of oral arguments, India replying them, and then Pakistan following with its second round, with India making its response thereto. India argued that the court did not have jurisdiction in the matter, citing an exemption it had filed way back in 1974 to exclude disputes between India and other Commonwealth states, and disputes covered by multilateral treaties. Sorabjee told the court that Pakistan was "solely responsible" for the incident and Islamabad must "bear the consequences of its own acts." Pakistan's Attorney General Aziz Munshi had sought a speedy resolution, saying its application had to be concluded quickly so that it did not remain an irritant in Indo-Pak relations. Pakistan had also sought to politicise the case by referring to the Kashmir issue, the Kargil conflict, Indo-Pak relations and alleged motives for the shooting. Pakistan wanted the court to intervene while India was opposed to its assumption of jurisdiction on the basis of Islamabad's application. It urged the court to "dismiss the objections raised by India and accept its jurisdiction." India maintained that none of Pakistan's arguments is 'sound' and does not provide a basis for invoking the court's jurisdiction. Sorabjee expressed happiness with the court's verdict. "We are very happy. The court has accepted all our contentions," he had said. Former supreme court judge B P Jeevan Reddy and Pakistan's former Attorney General Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada were co-opted into the bench as ad-hoc judges. As per ICJ rules, when it does not include a judge possessing the nationality of the state party to a case, the state may appoint a person to sit as a judge ad-hoc for the purpose of the case. The court also recalled that its lack of jurisdiction does not relieve States of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means. The choice of those means admittedly rests with the parties under Article 33 of the UN Charter, it said, adding, they are nonetheless under an obligation to seek such a settlement, and to do so in good faith in accordance with the Charter. As regards India and Pakistan, that obligation was restated more particularly in the Simla Accord of July 2, 1972. Moreover, the Lahore Declaration of 21 February, 1999 reiterated "the determination of both countries to implementing the Simla Agreement," it said. Accordingly, the court reminded the parties of their obligation to settle their disputes by peaceful means, and in particular the dispute arising out of the Atlantique incident in conformity with the obligations which they have undertaken. India's External Affairs Ministry while hailing the verdict especially welcomed the court's positive observations on the principles enunciated in the Simla agreement and Lahore Declaration as the basis for an Indo-Pak rapprochement. Through its comments, the court has vindicated India's stand on these landmark agreements that are the very cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, a ministry spokesman had said. (PTI)

ICJ to begin public hearing in Kulbhushan Jadhav case today

Pakistan has devised its strategy on how it is going to plead its point of view in the public hearing on Monday before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the conviction of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

After hectic consultations for two days with the Foreign Office and law ministry officials, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf has sent a set of recommendations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif .

There are reports that Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf is expected to lead the Pakistan side before the ICJ but he indicated that they may hire someone from abroad, the best minds on international law to advance Pakistan`s standpoint.

&quot;We have sent our recommendations to the Prime Minister`s Office and the Foreign Office,&quot; Dawn quoted Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf as saying.

Stressing on the need to keep the suggestions, arguments and options confidential so that the other side might not know the strategy being devised, the attorney general said a robust reply would be advanced by Pakistan in a forceful manner, refuting all allegations levelled against it and also pointing out atrocities India was getting away with in Kashmir.

Some of the suggestions that Pakistan is likely to put forward before ICJ on May 15 are:

1) Pakistan updated a list of reservations that includes national security about ICJ jurisdiction which had been updated on March 29, a fortnight before Jadhav`s conviction.Pakistan could raise the issue of jurisdiction before the ICJ, citing a 1999 case pertaining to the shooting down of an Atlantique aircraft in which India had refused to accept the court`s jurisdiction on the pretext that it could not hear cases related to disputes between Commonwealth countries.

2)The ICJ president has stayed the execution of Jadhav, although the notification of initiation of the proceedings on Monday had categorically stated that the hearing would be about &quot;provisional measures&quot; which India had sought to protect its interest in the case, the Dawn reported citing legal expert as saying.The ICJ can allow the provisional measures under Article 41 of its statutes. But the intimation to Pakistan about the proceedings was under Article 74, which technically was not a stay, he explained.

3) Ex judge of the Lahore High Court, Justice Chohan said that Pakistan can put forward an argument that India has not exhausted other forums available and the final stage to approach the world court had not been reached.Pakistan could also assure the ICJ that the spy would not be executed until other forums were fully explored, he said.

4) Moreover, the Supreme Court, in a recent case challenging the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, had kept with itself the judicial authority of reviewing any sentence awarded by the military courts if the condition of fair trial was not met, Dawn quoted Justice Chohan as saying.India, in its appeal before the ICJ, has accused Pakistan of &quot;egregious&quot; violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The plea stated that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran, where he was involved in business activities after retiring after retiring from the Indian navy, but Pakistan claimed he was arrested from Balochistan on March 3,2016.

Jadhav was sentenced to death by the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) last month for his alleged involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan.

(ANI)&nbsp;

After hectic consultations for two days with the Foreign Office and law ministry officials, attorney general Ashtar Ausaf has sent a set of recommendations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan has devised its strategy on how it is going to plead its point of view in the public hearing on Monday before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the conviction of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. After hectic consultations for two days with the Foreign Office and law ministry officials, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf has sent a set of recommendations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif . There are reports that Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf is expected to lead the Pakistan side before the ICJ but he indicated that they may hire someone from abroad, the best minds on international law to advance Pakistan`s standpoint. "We have sent our recommendations to the Prime Minister`s Office and the Foreign Office," Dawn quoted Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf as saying. Stressing on the need to keep the suggestions, arguments and options confidential so that the other side might not know the strategy being devised, the attorney general said a robust reply would be advanced by Pakistan in a forceful manner, refuting all allegations levelled against it and also pointing out atrocities India was getting away with in Kashmir. Some of the suggestions that Pakistan is likely to put forward before ICJ on May 15 are: 1) Pakistan updated a list of reservations that includes national security about ICJ jurisdiction which had been updated on March 29, a fortnight before Jadhav`s conviction.Pakistan could raise the issue of jurisdiction before the ICJ, citing a 1999 case pertaining to the shooting down of an Atlantique aircraft in which India had refused to accept the court`s jurisdiction on the pretext that it could not hear cases related to disputes between Commonwealth countries. 2)The ICJ president has stayed the execution of Jadhav, although the notification of initiation of the proceedings on Monday had categorically stated that the hearing would be about "provisional measures" which India had sought to protect its interest in the case, the Dawn reported citing legal expert as saying.The ICJ can allow the provisional measures under Article 41 of its statutes. But the intimation to Pakistan about the proceedings was under Article 74, which technically was not a stay, he explained. 3) Ex judge of the Lahore High Court, Justice Chohan said that Pakistan can put forward an argument that India has not exhausted other forums available and the final stage to approach the world court had not been reached.Pakistan could also assure the ICJ that the spy would not be executed until other forums were fully explored, he said. 4) Moreover, the Supreme Court, in a recent case challenging the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, had kept with itself the judicial authority of reviewing any sentence awarded by the military courts if the condition of fair trial was not met, Dawn quoted Justice Chohan as saying.India, in its appeal before the ICJ, has accused Pakistan of "egregious" violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The plea stated that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran, where he was involved in business activities after retiring after retiring from the Indian navy, but Pakistan claimed he was arrested from Balochistan on March 3,2016. Jadhav was sentenced to death by the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) last month for his alleged involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. (ANI)

Pakistan ready with arguments for public hearing before ICJ in Jadhav case

Islamabad will overrule the International Court of Justice`s (ICJ) order to suspend the execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, Pakistan`s local media reports said.

According to Pakistan`s local media reports, the Attorney General of Pakistan &quot;was briefed on the issue on Friday and according to sources, Pakistan will deny jurisdiction of International Court of Justice (ICJ) over cases that have national stability at stake.&quot;

Earlier, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, sent an urgent communication to Pakistan from the office of its President under Article 74 for Islamabad and New Delhi`s cooperation till a decision is reached on the death sentence case of former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Khulbhushan Jadhav.

Judge Ronny Abraham, the President of the ICJ, forwarded the urgent communication to both Pakistan and India.

ICJ President Judge Abraham in his letter to Pakistan Prime MInister Nawaz Sharif, said, &quot;In my capacity as President of the Court, and exercising the powers conferred upon me under Article 74 , Paragraph 4, of the rules, I call upon the parties concerned ie. Your Excellency`s Government, pending the court`s decision on the request for provisional measures, to act in such a way as will enable any order the court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects.&quot;

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be holding public hearings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on May 15. Indian lawyer Harish Salve will argue the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav on New Delhi`s behalf. Pakistan was caught by surprise when India move swiftly to ICJ and Islamabad received a midnight order that stayed the execution of Jadhav.

The development came after India instituted proceedings against Pakistan, accusing the latter of &quot;egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations&quot; in the matter of detention and trial of Jadhav, and sought a stay on his death sentence. Pakistan has denied consular access to Jadhav on 16 occasions.

India earlier contended that it was not informed of Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights, an official release from the ICJ said.India submitted that it had information that Jadhav was &quot;kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy, and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan&quot; on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Jadhav's execution, ordered by a Pakistani military court, was stayed by the International Court of Justice

Islamabad will overrule the International Court of Justice`s (ICJ) order to suspend the execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court, Pakistan`s local media reports said. According to Pakistan`s local media reports, the Attorney General of Pakistan "was briefed on the issue on Friday and according to sources, Pakistan will deny jurisdiction of International Court of Justice (ICJ) over cases that have national stability at stake." Earlier, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, sent an urgent communication to Pakistan from the office of its President under Article 74 for Islamabad and New Delhi`s cooperation till a decision is reached on the death sentence case of former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Khulbhushan Jadhav. Judge Ronny Abraham, the President of the ICJ, forwarded the urgent communication to both Pakistan and India. ICJ President Judge Abraham in his letter to Pakistan Prime MInister Nawaz Sharif, said, "In my capacity as President of the Court, and exercising the powers conferred upon me under Article 74 , Paragraph 4, of the rules, I call upon the parties concerned ie. Your Excellency`s Government, pending the court`s decision on the request for provisional measures, to act in such a way as will enable any order the court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects." The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be holding public hearings in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on May 15. Indian lawyer Harish Salve will argue the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav on New Delhi`s behalf. Pakistan was caught by surprise when India move swiftly to ICJ and Islamabad received a midnight order that stayed the execution of Jadhav. The development came after India instituted proceedings against Pakistan, accusing the latter of "egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations" in the matter of detention and trial of Jadhav, and sought a stay on his death sentence. Pakistan has denied consular access to Jadhav on 16 occasions. India earlier contended that it was not informed of Jadhav`s detention until long after his arrest and that Pakistan had failed to inform the accused of his rights, an official release from the ICJ said.India submitted that it had information that Jadhav was "kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy, and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan" on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016. (ANI)

Pakistan to overrule ICJ order staying Jadhav execution: Pakistani media reports

Pakistan&#39;s defence minister&nbsp;Khawaja&nbsp;Asif has termed India&#39;s letter to International Court of Justice(ICJ) over the execution&nbsp;of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadav as &quot;an attempt to divert attention from state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan&quot;. Pakistan&#39;s defence minister added, &quot;Kulbhushan has been convicted of offences against national security.&quot;&nbsp;

Earlier today the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav who was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court over charges of &quot;spying&quot;.

India&#39;s minister of state for external affairs&nbsp;V.K. Singh said, &quot;ICJ&#39;s approval to our stand proves that India was always right in saying that Pakistan was unnecessarily playing politics by giving a penalty of death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav.&quot;

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Indian letter to ICJ attempt to divert attention frm state sponsored terrorism in Pak.Kulbushan convicted of offences against Nat security
&mdash; Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) <a href="https://twitter.com/KhawajaMAsif/status/862215880880644096">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Hague-based ICJ stayed the hanging&nbsp;following India&#39;s submission that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business after retiring from the Indian Navy.

Jadhav&#39;s&nbsp;death sentence, which was given last month, had evoked a sharp reaction from India with the country warning Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the &quot;pre-meditated murder&quot; was carried out.

In its appeal to ICJ, India had accused&nbsp;Pakistan of &quot;egregious&quot; violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relation.

India had acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the Navy but denied that he had any connection with the government.

India&#39;s minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying, senior advocate, Harish Salve is representing India before ICJ.&nbsp;

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Mr.Harish Salve, Senior Advocate is representing India before International Court of Justice in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> case.
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/862014203506421760">May 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I have spoken to the mother of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> and told her about the order of President, ICJ under Art 74 Paragraph 4 of Rules of Court.
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/862013393452105733">May 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan's defence minister has said Kulbhushan has been convicted of "offences against national security"

Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif has termed India's letter to International Court of Justice(ICJ) over the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadav as "an attempt to divert attention from state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan". Pakistan's defence minister added, "Kulbhushan has been convicted of offences against national security." Earlier today the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav who was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court over charges of "spying". India's minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh said, "ICJ's approval to our stand proves that India was always right in saying that Pakistan was unnecessarily playing politics by giving a penalty of death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav." Indian letter to ICJ attempt to divert attention frm state sponsored terrorism in Pak.Kulbushan convicted of offences against Nat security — Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) May 10, 2017 × The Hague-based ICJ stayed the hanging following India's submission that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business after retiring from the Indian Navy. Jadhav's death sentence, which was given last month, had evoked a sharp reaction from India with the country warning Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the "pre-meditated murder" was carried out. In its appeal to ICJ, India had accused Pakistan of "egregious" violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relation. India had acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the Navy but denied that he had any connection with the government. India's minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying, senior advocate, Harish Salve is representing India before ICJ. Mr.Harish Salve, Senior Advocate is representing India before International Court of Justice in the #KulbhushanJadhav case. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 9, 2017 × I have spoken to the mother of #KulbhushanJadhav and told her about the order of President, ICJ under Art 74 Paragraph 4 of Rules of Court. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 9, 2017 × (WION with inputs from PTI)

India's letter to International Court of Justice on Kulbhushan an attempt to divert attention: Pakistan

The All India Football Federation`s (AIFF) website on Tuesday was hacked by an anonymous group called &quot;Zero Cool&quot;.

The group posted anti-India messages on the website.

Most of the messages referenced Kulbhushan Jadhav.&nbsp;

One of the messages read: &quot;Do you need Kulbhushan Jadhav back?&quot;&nbsp;

Another read: &quot;We will send you his Dead Body.&quot;&nbsp;

Pakistan has sentenced Jadhav to death -- it says he was a spy&nbsp;-- but the International Court of Justice stayed the sentence Tuesday.

The website was later restored, with the AIFF saying: &quot;Our website has been restored, after what we call a &#39;reckless sliding tackle&#39;, caused us a slight problem.&quot;&nbsp;

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UP AND RUNNING! Our website has been restored, after what we call a &#39;reckless sliding tackle&#39;, caused us a slight problem. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BackTheBlue?src=hash">#BackTheBlue</a>
&mdash; Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianFootball/status/862177864871026689">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The All India Football Federation`s (AIFF) website on Tuesday was hacked by an anonymous group called "Zero Cool". The group posted anti-India messages on the website. Most of the messages referenced Kulbhushan Jadhav. One of the messages read: "Do you need Kulbhushan Jadhav back?" Another read: "We will send you his Dead Body." Pakistan has sentenced Jadhav to death -- it says he was a spy -- but the International Court of Justice stayed the sentence Tuesday. The website was later restored, with the AIFF saying: "Our website has been restored, after what we call a 'reckless sliding tackle', caused us a slight problem." UP AND RUNNING! Our website has been restored, after what we call a 'reckless sliding tackle', caused us a slight problem. #BackTheBlue — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) May 10, 2017 × (WION)

Will send you Jadhav's 'Dead Body', hackers say on AIFF website

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will on Monday hold public hearings in the case of retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court.

The announcement was made by ICJ on Wednesday, a day after it stayed Jadhav&#39;s execution following India&#39;s initiation of proceedings against Pakistan, accusing it of &quot;egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations&quot;.

&quot;The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings on Monday, May 15, 2017...In the proceedings instituted by India on May 8, 2017 against Pakistan.

&quot;The hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by India,&quot; the ICJ said in a release.

India had told ICJ that Jadhav &quot;will be subjected to execution unless the court indicates provisional measures directing the government of Pakistan to take all measures necessary to ensure that he is not executed until th(e) Court&#39;s decision on the merits&quot; of the case.

India also pointed out that Jadhav&#39;s execution &quot;would cause irreparable prejudice to the rights claimed by India&quot;.

Noting that India has been informed by the ICJ that an action has been initiated on the &quot;provisional measures&quot; sought by New Delhi, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay in New Delhi said there is &quot;legal juridical procedure&quot; that will be followed.

Earlier, the ICJ president wrote to Pakistan prime minister, saying, &quot;In my capacity as president of the court,... I call upon Your Excellency&#39;s government, pending the court&#39;s decision on the request for the indication of provisional measures to act in such a way as will enable any order the Court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects.&quot;

On whether the &quot;provisional measures&quot; granted by the ICJ including a halt to Jadhav&#39;s execution was binding on Pakistan, Baglay referred to the clauses in ICJ rules which said, &quot;a request for the indication of provisional measures shall have priority over all other cases&quot;.

India had submitted that it has information that Jadhav was &quot;kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan&quot; on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016, a ICJ press release had said yesterday.

Jadhav, 46, was given death sentence last month by the Field General Court Martial in Pakistan, evoking a sharp reaction in India which warned Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the &quot;premeditated murder&quot; was carried out.

Jadhav was sentenced to death for &quot;espionage and subversive activities&quot;.

India acknowledges that Jadhav had served with the Navy but denies that he has any connection with the government.

India has also handed over to Pakistan an appeal by Jadhav&#39;s mother, initiating a process to get his conviction overturned.

(PTI)

Jadhav, 46, was given death sentence last month by the Field General Court Martial in Pakistan, evoking a sharp reaction in India which warned Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the "premeditated murder" was carried out.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will on Monday hold public hearings in the case of retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court. The announcement was made by ICJ on Wednesday, a day after it stayed Jadhav's execution following India's initiation of proceedings against Pakistan, accusing it of "egregious violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations". "The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings on Monday, May 15, 2017...In the proceedings instituted by India on May 8, 2017 against Pakistan. "The hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by India," the ICJ said in a release. India had told ICJ that Jadhav "will be subjected to execution unless the court indicates provisional measures directing the government of Pakistan to take all measures necessary to ensure that he is not executed until th(e) Court's decision on the merits" of the case. India also pointed out that Jadhav's execution "would cause irreparable prejudice to the rights claimed by India". Noting that India has been informed by the ICJ that an action has been initiated on the "provisional measures" sought by New Delhi, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay in New Delhi said there is "legal juridical procedure" that will be followed. Earlier, the ICJ president wrote to Pakistan prime minister, saying, "In my capacity as president of the court,... I call upon Your Excellency's government, pending the court's decision on the request for the indication of provisional measures to act in such a way as will enable any order the Court may make on this request to have its appropriate effects." On whether the "provisional measures" granted by the ICJ including a halt to Jadhav's execution was binding on Pakistan, Baglay referred to the clauses in ICJ rules which said, "a request for the indication of provisional measures shall have priority over all other cases". India had submitted that it has information that Jadhav was "kidnapped from Iran, where he was carrying on business after retiring from the Indian Navy and was then shown to have been arrested in Balochistan" on March 3, 2016, and that the Indian authorities were notified of that arrest on March 25, 2016, a ICJ press release had said yesterday. Jadhav, 46, was given death sentence last month by the Field General Court Martial in Pakistan, evoking a sharp reaction in India which warned Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the "premeditated murder" was carried out. Jadhav was sentenced to death for "espionage and subversive activities". India acknowledges that Jadhav had served with the Navy but denies that he has any connection with the government. India has also handed over to Pakistan an appeal by Jadhav's mother, initiating a process to get his conviction overturned. (PTI)

International Court of Justice to hold public hearings on Kulbhushan Jadhav case on May 15

Following Pakistan&#39;s denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, defence experts have expressed strong feeling towards the possibility of the execution of the former Indian naval officer, adding that Pakistan does not honour its commitments towards international obligations.

Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate.

&quot;It was the 16th time that India formally requested for consular access and visas to Kulbhushan&#39;s parents. It is quite clear that Pakistan does not believe in friendly relations, international norms. Pakistan is trying to hide these atrocities committed on him through this denial. It ought to be condemned across the world,&quot; Sehgal told ANI.

Agha said Pakistan would hang Jadhav as soon as possible so that all the things are buried with him.

&quot;They have been denying right from the beginning. They must have tortured him to an extent that they don&#39;t want to show anybody his condition. This behaviour by the Pakistan Government is not civilized. Pakistan is one country that doesn&#39;t honour its commitments towards international obligations. We should build up more pressure on Pakistan to see that at least consular access is provided to us,&quot; he told ANI.

The Defence experts&#39; sharp comments came after Pakistan denied India consular access to Jadhav yesterday.

Jadhav has been awarded a death sentence by Islamabad military court for alleged espionage activities.

This is the 16th time that India has demanded consular access.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua categorically expressed her views to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, during a meeting in Islamabad, reports Radio Pakistan.

During the meeting, Bambawale also handed over a petition by Jadhav&#39;s mother to the Pakistan Government for his release and expressed a desire to meet him.

&quot;Pakistan was also requested to facilitate visas for Jadhav&#39;s mother and father. They wish to travel to Pakistan to meet him and also to personally file the petition and appeal. They have applied for necessary visas with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,&quot; India&#39;s External Affairs Ministry release stated.

This comes two days after India&#39;s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and made similar demands.

The Pakistan Army had earlier ruled out consular access to Jadhav, saying he is not eligible for it as per the laws.

&quot;Kulbhushan is not eligible for consular access nor will be granted consular access,&quot; said Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor.

He alleged that Jadhav, caught on anti-state activities, was tried under court martial.

&quot;This was purely an act by the Army to which the Army as an institution said we will not compromise on his sentence,&quot; he said.

Major General Ghafoor said Jadhav&#39;s death sentence process will move ahead as per the law, adding it will go in the appellate court and the army shall wait for the verdict.

Jadhav was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province and accused of being a Research and Analysis Wing (R&amp;AW) agent.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate

Following Pakistan's denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, defence experts have expressed strong feeling towards the possibility of the execution of the former Indian naval officer, adding that Pakistan does not honour its commitments towards international obligations. Defence experts PK Sehgal and Qamar Agha, both opined that the denial hints towards that Kulbhushan has already been tortured to an extent that either he is already dead or no longer in a condition that he can be presented in front of the Indian consulate. "It was the 16th time that India formally requested for consular access and visas to Kulbhushan's parents. It is quite clear that Pakistan does not believe in friendly relations, international norms. Pakistan is trying to hide these atrocities committed on him through this denial. It ought to be condemned across the world," Sehgal told ANI. Agha said Pakistan would hang Jadhav as soon as possible so that all the things are buried with him. "They have been denying right from the beginning. They must have tortured him to an extent that they don't want to show anybody his condition. This behaviour by the Pakistan Government is not civilized. Pakistan is one country that doesn't honour its commitments towards international obligations. We should build up more pressure on Pakistan to see that at least consular access is provided to us," he told ANI. The Defence experts' sharp comments came after Pakistan denied India consular access to Jadhav yesterday. Jadhav has been awarded a death sentence by Islamabad military court for alleged espionage activities. This is the 16th time that India has demanded consular access. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua categorically expressed her views to Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, during a meeting in Islamabad, reports Radio Pakistan. During the meeting, Bambawale also handed over a petition by Jadhav's mother to the Pakistan Government for his release and expressed a desire to meet him. "Pakistan was also requested to facilitate visas for Jadhav's mother and father. They wish to travel to Pakistan to meet him and also to personally file the petition and appeal. They have applied for necessary visas with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi," India's External Affairs Ministry release stated. This comes two days after India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and made similar demands. The Pakistan Army had earlier ruled out consular access to Jadhav, saying he is not eligible for it as per the laws. "Kulbhushan is not eligible for consular access nor will be granted consular access," said Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor. He alleged that Jadhav, caught on anti-state activities, was tried under court martial. "This was purely an act by the Army to which the Army as an institution said we will not compromise on his sentence," he said. Major General Ghafoor said Jadhav's death sentence process will move ahead as per the law, adding it will go in the appellate court and the army shall wait for the verdict. Jadhav was arrested in March last year in the restive Balochistan province and accused of being a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent. (ANI)

Denial of consular access hints at Kulbhushan Jadhav having already been executed: Defence experts

India today summoned Pakistan deputy High Commissioner Syed Haidar Shah over Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s death sentence which was ordered&nbsp;by a Pakistan military court earlier this week.

The Indian government continues to press for access to Jadhav in Pakistan, in fact, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale will meet Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to allow consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav who is lodged in a Pakistan jail on spying charges. &nbsp; &nbsp;

India&#39;s home minister Rajnath Singh had said earlier that his government &quot;will go to any extent to ensure justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav&quot;.

The Kulbhushan Jadhav case reached the Delhi High Court today as the court reserved its order on a plea for a direction to the government to approach the International Court of Justice for the release of Kulbhushan Jadhav.

A bench of acting chief justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra said it will pass an order on the petition, which the Centre said was &quot;not a public interest litigation&quot; and the government has already taken steps to secure Jadhav&#39;s release. 
&nbsp; 
Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain, appearing for Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), &nbsp;submitted that the &quot;subject matter raised in the petition before the court is already under consideration by the ministry concerned and it has already assured the nation for his release.&quot;

&quot;Even the external affairs minister, going out of the way, has announced in the floor of Parliament that every possible action will be taken to bring back Jadhav,&quot; he asserted.

(WION with agency inputs: PTI, ANI)

Rajnath Singh had said his government 'will go to any extent' to ensure justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav

India today summoned Pakistan deputy High Commissioner Syed Haidar Shah over Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence which was ordered by a Pakistan military court earlier this week. The Indian government continues to press for access to Jadhav in Pakistan, in fact, the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale will meet Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to allow consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav who is lodged in a Pakistan jail on spying charges. India's home minister Rajnath Singh had said earlier that his government "will go to any extent to ensure justice for Kulbhushan Jadhav". The Kulbhushan Jadhav case reached the Delhi High Court today as the court reserved its order on a plea for a direction to the government to approach the International Court of Justice for the release of Kulbhushan Jadhav. A bench of acting chief justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra said it will pass an order on the petition, which the Centre said was "not a public interest litigation" and the government has already taken steps to secure Jadhav's release. Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain, appearing for Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted that the "subject matter raised in the petition before the court is already under consideration by the ministry concerned and it has already assured the nation for his release." "Even the external affairs minister, going out of the way, has announced in the floor of Parliament that every possible action will be taken to bring back Jadhav," he asserted. (WION with agency inputs: PTI, ANI)

Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: Indian High Commissioner to meet Pak Foreign Secretary to press for consular access

India today said it was yet to get a response from Pakistan on its demand for a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the military court order awarding death sentence to the retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.

&quot;We have sought from the Foreign Ministry (of Pakistan) a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Jadhav, but there is no response yet from Pakistan&#39;s side,&quot; MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters.

India had already announced that it would appeal against the death sentence to Jadhav.

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Gautam Bambawale, had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Friday in connection with the case and demanded a certified copy of the charge-sheet and the judgement, besides consular access to Jadhav.

&quot;India made the demand for the two documents on Friday when the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad met the Pakistan Foreign Secretary,&quot; said Baglay, replying to a question on the issue.

The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of &quot;espionage and sabotage activities&quot; in Pakistan.

Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was &quot;a serving officer in the Indian Navy&quot;.

The Pakistan Army had also released a &quot;confessional video&quot; of Jadhav after his arrest.

However, India denied Pakistan&#39;s contention and maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped by the Pakistan authorities.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had warned that Jadhav&#39;s execution would be taken by India as a &quot;pre-meditated murder&quot; and Pakistan should &quot;consider its consequences&quot; on bilateral relations, if it proceeds on this matter.

(PTI)

India wants Pakistan to send them a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav

India today said it was yet to get a response from Pakistan on its demand for a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the military court order awarding death sentence to the retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. "We have sought from the Foreign Ministry (of Pakistan) a certified copy of the charge-sheet as well as the judgement in the death sentence of Jadhav, but there is no response yet from Pakistan's side," MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay told reporters. India had already announced that it would appeal against the death sentence to Jadhav. Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Gautam Bambawale, had met Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Friday in connection with the case and demanded a certified copy of the charge-sheet and the judgement, besides consular access to Jadhav. "India made the demand for the two documents on Friday when the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad met the Pakistan Foreign Secretary," said Baglay, replying to a question on the issue. The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of "espionage and sabotage activities" in Pakistan. Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy". The Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav after his arrest. However, India denied Pakistan's contention and maintained that Jadhav was kidnapped by the Pakistan authorities. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had warned that Jadhav's execution would be taken by India as a "pre-meditated murder" and Pakistan should "consider its consequences" on bilateral relations, if it proceeds on this matter. (PTI)

India yet to get spy case report from Pakistan

Pakistan has apprehended three suspected Indian spies in Pakistan&#39;s Kashmir on Saturday, days after another spy believed to be working for India&#39;s primary foreign intelligence agency was awarded a death sentence for espionage activities by a Pakistani military court.

The arrests come hours after India called off talks involving maritime security issues with Pakistan, in a further blow to the strained bilateral relations.

Indian media reports suggest three people allegedly working with India&#39;s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were rounded up by the police in Rawalkot, Poonch district, for carrying out anti-state activities.

Mohammad Khalil, Imtiaz, and Rashid, all from Taroti village in Abbaspur -- a small town located near the de-facto border separating India and Pakistan -- were arrested for allegedly bombing a police station in Pakistan&#39;s Kashmir.

Pakistani officials said the trio was apparently targeting the &quot;China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)&quot; -- a $62 billion project undertaken by China to improve Pakistan&#39;s infrastructure.

The three men have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosives Act and will be produced before Pakistan&#39;s anti-terrorism court.

Pakistan said they were involved with three Indian army and RAW officers -- Major Ranjeet, Major Sultan and an unnamed officer, police told Pakistan-based Geo News.

Diplomatic brinkmanship over spy&#39;s death sentence

The India-Pakistan relations hit a new low when a Pakistani military court condemned a suspected Indian spy to death sentence for attempting to foment unrest in Pakistan&#39;s restive Balochistan province.

New Delhi reacted strongly to the verdict, calling the trial &quot;farcical&quot; and labeling the military court&#39;s injunction as &quot;premeditated murder&quot;.

While Pakistan maintain that Jadhav was given a fair trial and was subsequently found to have been a RAW asset, India say he was a former naval officer and had no links to the establishment anymore.

New Delhi also believe that Jadhav might have been abducted by Pakistan from Iran.

India has accused Pakistan of not getting consular access to Jadhav, despite having sent 14 such requests -- the most recent being on Friday.

But Pakistan hit back by saying that Jadhav carried two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name.

Maritime security talks called off

Earlier on Saturday (April 15), India marked its protest against the verdict by suspending maritime talks with Pakistan.&nbsp;

A delegation from Pakistan&nbsp;led by its Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to the frequent arrests of fishermen transgressing maritime borders.

Unnamed sources in India&#39;s Coast Guard said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation&#39;s visit, according to Press Trust of India.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The incarcerations in Pakistan's Kashmir come days after a suspected Indian spy, Kulbhushan Jadhav, was sentenced to death for 'espionage'

Pakistan has apprehended three suspected Indian spies in Pakistan's Kashmir on Saturday, days after another spy believed to be working for India's primary foreign intelligence agency was awarded a death sentence for espionage activities by a Pakistani military court. The arrests come hours after India called off talks involving maritime security issues with Pakistan, in a further blow to the strained bilateral relations. Indian media reports suggest three people allegedly working with India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were rounded up by the police in Rawalkot, Poonch district, for carrying out anti-state activities. Mohammad Khalil, Imtiaz, and Rashid, all from Taroti village in Abbaspur -- a small town located near the de-facto border separating India and Pakistan -- were arrested for allegedly bombing a police station in Pakistan's Kashmir. Pakistani officials said the trio was apparently targeting the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)" -- a $62 billion project undertaken by China to improve Pakistan's infrastructure. The three men have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosives Act and will be produced before Pakistan's anti-terrorism court. Pakistan said they were involved with three Indian army and RAW officers -- Major Ranjeet, Major Sultan and an unnamed officer, police told Pakistan-based Geo News. Diplomatic brinkmanship over spy's death sentence The India-Pakistan relations hit a new low when a Pakistani military court condemned a suspected Indian spy to death sentence for attempting to foment unrest in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. New Delhi reacted strongly to the verdict, calling the trial "farcical" and labeling the military court's injunction as "premeditated murder". While Pakistan maintain that Jadhav was given a fair trial and was subsequently found to have been a RAW asset, India say he was a former naval officer and had no links to the establishment anymore. New Delhi also believe that Jadhav might have been abducted by Pakistan from Iran. India has accused Pakistan of not getting consular access to Jadhav, despite having sent 14 such requests -- the most recent being on Friday. But Pakistan hit back by saying that Jadhav carried two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name. Maritime security talks called off Earlier on Saturday (April 15), India marked its protest against the verdict by suspending maritime talks with Pakistan. A delegation from Pakistan led by its Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to the frequent arrests of fishermen transgressing maritime borders. Unnamed sources in India's Coast Guard said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation's visit, according to Press Trust of India. (WION)

Spy row gets murkier as Pakistan arrests three more Indian 'agents'

India has called off maritime security dialogue with Pakistan, scheduled for early next week, amid tensions over death sentence being awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of spying

A delegation led by Pakistan&#39;s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to fishermen and search and rescue operations

Coast Guard sources said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation&#39;s visit

The development comes amid tension between the two countries over Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer, being awarded death sentence by a Pakistani military court

India has said if Jadhav were to be executed, it will be considered as a &quot;premeditated murder&quot;.

(PTI)

A delegation led by Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19

India has called off maritime security dialogue with Pakistan, scheduled for early next week, amid tensions over death sentence being awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of spying A delegation led by Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to fishermen and search and rescue operations Coast Guard sources said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation's visit The development comes amid tension between the two countries over Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer, being awarded death sentence by a Pakistani military court India has said if Jadhav were to be executed, it will be considered as a "premeditated murder". (PTI)

India calls off maritime security dialogue with Pakistan amid Jadhav death sentence row

India&#39;s envoy to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary today and raised two demands - copies of chargesheet and judgment by Pakistan military court against Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been handed the death sentence for &#39;spying&#39;&nbsp;by a Pakistan military court.

India demanded consular access to Jadhav for the fourteenth time today but Pakistan foreign secretary said, &quot;since this is a case of espionage, consular access can&#39;t be granted&quot;.

Pakistan has been steadfast in its view that Kulbhushan&nbsp;Jadhav is a &#39;spy&#39;.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kulbhushan-jadhav-death-sentence-india-rejects-pakistans-farcical-trial-14484">Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: India rejects Pakistan&#39;s &#39;farcical&#39; trial</a>

In fact, Sartaz Aziz, adviser to Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, candidly asked in a press conference: &quot;I would like to ask India why he (Jadhav) was using a fake identity and masquerading as a Muslim. Why would an innocent person possess two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name? For this, India has no answer.&quot;

India, on the other hand, has been insisting that Kulbhushan Jadhav had a valid visa. VK Singh, minister of state in the ministry of external affairs,&nbsp;said: &quot;If Kulbhushan Jadhav had a valid Indian visa, then how can he be a spy?&quot;

India&#39;s envoy&nbsp;conveyed to Pakistan that it will appeal the death sentence order and is currently poring over the Pakistan Army Act.

But Aziz later clarified that the 46-year-old convict will not be executed anytime soon as he has the right to appeal the military court&#39;s verdict. And if that doesn&#39;t suffice, he can file a clemency plea to the army chief.

The adviser further blamed India for ratcheting up tensions between the two countries.

Reacting to New Delhi&#39;s labelling of Jadhav&#39;s death sentence as &quot;premeditated murder&quot;, the senior diplomat said the statement would only escalate matters and serve &quot;no useful purpose&quot;. &nbsp;

The adviser also said Jadhav was represented by &quot;a qualified legal officer&quot; in his defence&nbsp;and that his confessional statement was recorded before a magistrate.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has threatened lawyers from taking up Jadhav&#39;s case, Rediff reported.

&quot;The LHBA has unanimously decided to cancel the membership of any lawyer who offers his services to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav,&quot; Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary-General Amer Saeed Raan said.

&quot;India has declared Jadhav its son and is putting pressure on the Pakistani government for his release. We demand that the Indian spy who is involved in playing with lives of Pakistanis should not be spared and the government (should) ensure his hanging,&quot; he said.

Jadhav was arrested by Pakistan in March, 2016, for trying to &quot;destabilise&quot; Pakistan and wage a war in the country. But India has denied that he is a spy and say he is a former naval officer but with no links with the government anymore.

The military court&#39;s verdict has further wracked the already-febrile bilateral relations between the two south Asian nations.

While Pakistan has stuck to its stance of Jadhav being involved in &quot;espionage&quot; activities, India has warned of severe consequences if he is executed.

(WION)

&nbsp;

India demanded consular access to Jadhav for the fourteenth time today but it was rejected by the Pakistan foreign secretary

India's envoy to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale met Pakistan Foreign Secretary today and raised two demands - copies of chargesheet and judgment by Pakistan military court against Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been handed the death sentence for 'spying' by a Pakistan military court. India demanded consular access to Jadhav for the fourteenth time today but Pakistan foreign secretary said, "since this is a case of espionage, consular access can't be granted". Pakistan has been steadfast in its view that Kulbhushan Jadhav is a 'spy'. Also Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: India rejects Pakistan's 'farcical' trial In fact, Sartaz Aziz, adviser to Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, candidly asked in a press conference: "I would like to ask India why he (Jadhav) was using a fake identity and masquerading as a Muslim. Why would an innocent person possess two passports, one with a Hindu name and the other bearing a Muslim name? For this, India has no answer." India, on the other hand, has been insisting that Kulbhushan Jadhav had a valid visa. VK Singh, minister of state in the ministry of external affairs, said: "If Kulbhushan Jadhav had a valid Indian visa, then how can he be a spy?" India's envoy conveyed to Pakistan that it will appeal the death sentence order and is currently poring over the Pakistan Army Act. But Aziz later clarified that the 46-year-old convict will not be executed anytime soon as he has the right to appeal the military court's verdict. And if that doesn't suffice, he can file a clemency plea to the army chief. The adviser further blamed India for ratcheting up tensions between the two countries. Reacting to New Delhi's labelling of Jadhav's death sentence as "premeditated murder", the senior diplomat said the statement would only escalate matters and serve "no useful purpose". The adviser also said Jadhav was represented by "a qualified legal officer" in his defence and that his confessional statement was recorded before a magistrate. Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has threatened lawyers from taking up Jadhav's case, Rediff reported. "The LHBA has unanimously decided to cancel the membership of any lawyer who offers his services to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav," Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary-General Amer Saeed Raan said. "India has declared Jadhav its son and is putting pressure on the Pakistani government for his release. We demand that the Indian spy who is involved in playing with lives of Pakistanis should not be spared and the government (should) ensure his hanging," he said. Jadhav was arrested by Pakistan in March, 2016, for trying to "destabilise" Pakistan and wage a war in the country. But India has denied that he is a spy and say he is a former naval officer but with no links with the government anymore. The military court's verdict has further wracked the already-febrile bilateral relations between the two south Asian nations. While Pakistan has stuck to its stance of Jadhav being involved in "espionage" activities, India has warned of severe consequences if he is executed. (WION)

India to appeal Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence; Pak PM adviser raises 'two passports' issue

India has decided to pull out of Under-21 Johor Bahru hockey tournament in Malaysia which also features Pakistan.

Hockey India announced the decision not to send the Indian junior men&#39;s team for the Johor Bahru&nbsp;Cup. The tournament was set to be held&nbsp;between October 22- 29 October.&nbsp;

The move&nbsp;comes&nbsp;as&nbsp;India and Pakistan relations nosedived this week in the wake of spying charges levelled by a Pakistan military court against an Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This will be the second successive year when&nbsp;India will not be taking part in the tournament. The junior men&#39;s team had won the tournament in 2015.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, in January, Hockey India announced it&#39;s decision to not play any tournaments against Pakistan until they submit an unconditional written apology for &#39;&#39;lewd and unprofessional behaviour&quot;&nbsp;of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy 2014.&nbsp;

On 1 December 2016, PHF had issued a statement rejecting claims by International Hockey Federation(FIH) that it had not submitted travel documents for its players by official deadline, which FIH said resulted in its exclusion from the junior World Cup. PHF alleged that Hockey India did not want the Pakistan team to participate in the coveted tournament.&nbsp;

&nbsp;(WION) &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hockey India announced the decision not to send the Indian junior men's team for the Johor Cup which also features Pakistan

India has decided to pull out of Under-21 Johor Bahru hockey tournament in Malaysia which also features Pakistan. Hockey India announced the decision not to send the Indian junior men's team for the Johor Bahru Cup. The tournament was set to be held between October 22- 29 October. The move comes as India and Pakistan relations nosedived this week in the wake of spying charges levelled by a Pakistan military court against an Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. This will be the second successive year when India will not be taking part in the tournament. The junior men's team had won the tournament in 2015. Earlier this year, in January, Hockey India announced it's decision to not play any tournaments against Pakistan until they submit an unconditional written apology for ''lewd and unprofessional behaviour" of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy 2014. On 1 December 2016, PHF had issued a statement rejecting claims by International Hockey Federation(FIH) that it had not submitted travel documents for its players by official deadline, which FIH said resulted in its exclusion from the junior World Cup. PHF alleged that Hockey India did not want the Pakistan team to participate in the coveted tournament. (WION)

India pulls out of Under-21 hockey tournament in Malaysia

India strongly criticised Pakistan military court&#39;s decision to condemn Kulbhushan Jadhav - a man Islamabad believes is an Indian spy who was conducting &quot;subversive activities&quot; - to death on April 10.

Reacting strongly to the death sentence, India said it viewed the &quot;farcical proceedings against Jadhav&quot; as &quot;murder&quot; and that it violated basic norms of &quot;law, justice, and international relations&quot;.

&quot;Absence of credible evidence&quot; and the &quot;farcical and an opaque trial in a military court&quot; has underlined that Pakistan flouted the law, India&#39;s ministry of external affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said during a media briefing on Thursday (April 13) afternoon.

Baglay also warned that if Jadhav was hanged, it would further deteriorate bilateral relations between the two countries.

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson also said that Pakistan had denied India&#39;s 13 requests for consular access to Jadhav over the past one year.

&quot;Pakistan denied consular access demanded by us. Therefore, we are not aware of where he (Jadhav) is being held. And neither has Pakistan shared any specific details with us,&quot; Baglay said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Live: MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay addresses media <a href="https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6">https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/852455529217540096">April 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Islamabad also claimed that Jadhav entered&nbsp;its territory with a bogus passport.

Reacting to his claims, the spokesperson said: &quot;We cannot ascertain anything since we did not have any consular access. Which kind of spy keeps an original passport with him so I have my doubts on any allegations of him being a spy. We do not know what are the circumstances of his presence in Pakistan until we meet him. We need to know how he came to be in Pakistan in the first place.&quot;

Roughly two hours later, Indian news agency ANI reported that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan would try again to get consular access to Jadhav.

The Kulbhushan Jadhav case is a complex web of international espionage, with Pakistan claiming he was acting on behalf of India&#39;s primary foreign intelligence agency in the restive Balochistan province and India repudiating the claims.

India has long maintained -- which was reiterated again in Thursday&#39;s media briefing -- that Jadhav is&nbsp;a retired naval officer and an Indian citizen, but has categorically denied he was involved in cloak-and-dagger activities.

But Inter&ndash;Services Public Relations (ISPR)&nbsp;&mdash; the media wing of Pakistani security forces &mdash; say Jadhav was involved in &quot;espionage activities&quot; with an intent to wage a war against Pakistan, according to a Pakistani website, The Nation.

Last year, the government had extensively circulated Jadhav&#39;s &quot;video confession&quot;, in which he admitted to being a spy working for India&#39;s intelligence agency named Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

In the video, Jadhav had said: &quot;I am still a serving officer in the Indian Navy and will be due for retirement in 2022. By 2002, I commenced intelligence operations. In 2003, I established a small business in Chabahar in Iran. As I was able to achieve undetected existence and visits to Karachi in 2003 and 2004 and having done some basic assignments within India for RAW, I was picked up by RAW in 2013.&quot;

(WATCH: Jadhav&#39;s &#39;confession&#39;&#39;)

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Pakistan military said Jadhav has been convicted for &quot;his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan&quot;. (WION)
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(WION)

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A Pakistani military court had awarded Jadhav with a death sentence for carrying out 'subversive activities' to destabilise the country

India strongly criticised Pakistan military court's decision to condemn Kulbhushan Jadhav - a man Islamabad believes is an Indian spy who was conducting "subversive activities" - to death on April 10. Reacting strongly to the death sentence, India said it viewed the "farcical proceedings against Jadhav" as "murder" and that it violated basic norms of "law, justice, and international relations". "Absence of credible evidence" and the "farcical and an opaque trial in a military court" has underlined that Pakistan flouted the law, India's ministry of external affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said during a media briefing on Thursday (April 13) afternoon. Baglay also warned that if Jadhav was hanged, it would further deteriorate bilateral relations between the two countries. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson also said that Pakistan had denied India's 13 requests for consular access to Jadhav over the past one year. "Pakistan denied consular access demanded by us. Therefore, we are not aware of where he (Jadhav) is being held. And neither has Pakistan shared any specific details with us," Baglay said. #WATCH Live: MEA Spokesperson Gopal Baglay addresses media https://t.co/8lzMSCCRO6 — ANI (@ANI_news) April 13, 2017 × Islamabad also claimed that Jadhav entered its territory with a bogus passport. Reacting to his claims, the spokesperson said: "We cannot ascertain anything since we did not have any consular access. Which kind of spy keeps an original passport with him so I have my doubts on any allegations of him being a spy. We do not know what are the circumstances of his presence in Pakistan until we meet him. We need to know how he came to be in Pakistan in the first place." Roughly two hours later, Indian news agency ANI reported that the Indian High Commission in Pakistan would try again to get consular access to Jadhav. The Kulbhushan Jadhav case is a complex web of international espionage, with Pakistan claiming he was acting on behalf of India's primary foreign intelligence agency in the restive Balochistan province and India repudiating the claims. India has long maintained -- which was reiterated again in Thursday's media briefing -- that Jadhav is a retired naval officer and an Indian citizen, but has categorically denied he was involved in cloak-and-dagger activities. But Inter–Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of Pakistani security forces — say Jadhav was involved in "espionage activities" with an intent to wage a war against Pakistan, according to a Pakistani website, The Nation. Last year, the government had extensively circulated Jadhav's "video confession", in which he admitted to being a spy working for India's intelligence agency named Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). In the video, Jadhav had said: "I am still a serving officer in the Indian Navy and will be due for retirement in 2022. By 2002, I commenced intelligence operations. In 2003, I established a small business in Chabahar in Iran. As I was able to achieve undetected existence and visits to Karachi in 2003 and 2004 and having done some basic assignments within India for RAW, I was picked up by RAW in 2013." (WATCH: Jadhav's 'confession'') Pakistan military said Jadhav has been convicted for "his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan". (WION) × (WION)

Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: India rejects Pakistan's 'farcical' trial

Top US experts have expressed concern over Pakistan&#39;s decision to give the death penalty to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav as they warned that Islamabad wants to send a &quot;strong message&quot; to India against isolating it on the world stage.

Jadhav, 46, was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial under the army act for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage. The death sentence was confirmed by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

&quot;Apart from the gross irregularities in the Jadhav situation, such as the lack of consular access and the secrecy surrounding the surprise court-martial, what struck me the most is the contrast between the speed of Mr Jadhav&#39;s trial set against the endless postponements for that of the Mumbai attackers,&quot; Alyssa Ayres, a former senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau said.

&quot;The latter case, by contrast, has been in a continual state of prolongation for nearly nine years,&quot; Ayres told PTI.

She is currently senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank.

Bharat Gopalaswamy, director of South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-DC based top US think-tank, believes that the evidence warranting Jadhav&#39;s conviction &quot;is rather flimsy&quot; and the story by the Pakistani authorities &quot;do not add up&quot;.

Without furnishing further evidence, this conviction as it stands, &quot;seems to be politically motivated&quot; in order to counter India&#39;s aggressive diplomacy against Pakistan in combating terrorism, he said.

&quot;This whole story is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but it seems clear that Pakistan wants to send a very strong message to India, whether to warn New Delhi against meddling in Pakistan or to push back in a big way against India&#39;s efforts to isolate Pakistan on the world stage,&quot; said Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Center.

&quot;At the same time, given how much India will want to ensure that Yadav isn&#39;t executed, Pakistan now has a very large bargaining chip at its disposal. Pakistan may want to use Yadav as a trump card to get some type of major concession from India,&quot; Kugelman said.

&quot;The bottom line is that India-Pakistan relations are on life support. We can kiss goodbye any immediate prospects for resuming dialogue, though that wasn&#39;t a very strong possibility even before the announcement about Yadav&#39;s death sentence. Ultimately, India and Pakistan face some very dark and dangerous days ahead,&quot;&nbsp;he said.

Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/14403">Pakistan responds to Sushma Swaraj&#39;s statement, says&nbsp;it can defend itself</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Sameer Lalwani, senior associate and deputy director for Stimson&#39;s South Asia program, said the decision and timing of Jadhav&#39;s execution sentence &quot;appears puzzling&quot; because in many ways it does not seem to work in Pakistan&#39;s self-interest.

&quot;If Jadhav posed a threat and Pakistan wanted to send a deterrent signal to potential saboteurs of CPEC and Gwadar, they could have executed him months ago after his intelligence value had been exhausted,&quot; Lalwani said.

&quot;If Pakistan wanted to exploit Jadhav&#39;s capture for diplomatic purposes by showcasing evidence of Indian sub-conventional aggression, Pakistan still has yet to convince the international community and an execution raises suspicions,&quot; Lalwani said.

&quot;Finally, if the Indians care that much about Jadhav, Pakistan could have used him as a bargaining chip. Perhaps the sentence is an opening bargaining gambit but actually executing Jadhav may not be reaping much of a deterrent signal for Pakistan while foreclosing on diplomatic or trade value,&quot; he said.

Both the State Department and the White House refused to comment on the sentencing of Jadhav.

&quot;We have seen these reports. We refer you to the governments of India and Pakistan for further information,&quot; a State Department spokesperson said.

(PTI)

Jadhav was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage

Top US experts have expressed concern over Pakistan's decision to give the death penalty to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav as they warned that Islamabad wants to send a "strong message" to India against isolating it on the world stage. Jadhav, 46, was given the death sentence by military Field General Court Martial under the army act for his alleged involvement in terrorism and espionage. The death sentence was confirmed by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. "Apart from the gross irregularities in the Jadhav situation, such as the lack of consular access and the secrecy surrounding the surprise court-martial, what struck me the most is the contrast between the speed of Mr Jadhav's trial set against the endless postponements for that of the Mumbai attackers," Alyssa Ayres, a former senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau said. "The latter case, by contrast, has been in a continual state of prolongation for nearly nine years," Ayres told PTI. She is currently senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank. Bharat Gopalaswamy, director of South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-DC based top US think-tank, believes that the evidence warranting Jadhav's conviction "is rather flimsy" and the story by the Pakistani authorities "do not add up". Without furnishing further evidence, this conviction as it stands, "seems to be politically motivated" in order to counter India's aggressive diplomacy against Pakistan in combating terrorism, he said. "This whole story is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but it seems clear that Pakistan wants to send a very strong message to India, whether to warn New Delhi against meddling in Pakistan or to push back in a big way against India's efforts to isolate Pakistan on the world stage," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Center. "At the same time, given how much India will want to ensure that Yadav isn't executed, Pakistan now has a very large bargaining chip at its disposal. Pakistan may want to use Yadav as a trump card to get some type of major concession from India," Kugelman said. "The bottom line is that India-Pakistan relations are on life support. We can kiss goodbye any immediate prospects for resuming dialogue, though that wasn't a very strong possibility even before the announcement about Yadav's death sentence. Ultimately, India and Pakistan face some very dark and dangerous days ahead," he said. Also Read: Pakistan responds to Sushma Swaraj's statement, says it can defend itself According to Sameer Lalwani, senior associate and deputy director for Stimson's South Asia program, said the decision and timing of Jadhav's execution sentence "appears puzzling" because in many ways it does not seem to work in Pakistan's self-interest. "If Jadhav posed a threat and Pakistan wanted to send a deterrent signal to potential saboteurs of CPEC and Gwadar, they could have executed him months ago after his intelligence value had been exhausted," Lalwani said. "If Pakistan wanted to exploit Jadhav's capture for diplomatic purposes by showcasing evidence of Indian sub-conventional aggression, Pakistan still has yet to convince the international community and an execution raises suspicions," Lalwani said. "Finally, if the Indians care that much about Jadhav, Pakistan could have used him as a bargaining chip. Perhaps the sentence is an opening bargaining gambit but actually executing Jadhav may not be reaping much of a deterrent signal for Pakistan while foreclosing on diplomatic or trade value," he said. Both the State Department and the White House refused to comment on the sentencing of Jadhav. "We have seen these reports. We refer you to the governments of India and Pakistan for further information," a State Department spokesperson said. (PTI)

US experts question Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence

Pakistan&nbsp;defence minister&nbsp;Khawaja Muhammad Asif, speaking in Parliament on Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s death sentence, reiterated his country&#39;s hardline stand on the issue. He openly hit back at Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s statement in Parliament, and declared, &quot;Pakistan is strong enough to defend itself. The desire for peace should not be seen as a weakness.&quot;

&quot;We have 80,000 troops stationed along the LoC (Line of Control),&quot; he stated in Pakistan Parliament.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties in India raised the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan, on charges of being a spy.

As parliamentarians from different political parties condemned Pakistan&#39;s move, &quot;Save Kulbhushan&quot; was the sentiment that echoed in Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Indian Parliament.&nbsp;Swaraj&nbsp;warned&nbsp;Pakistan of consequences on diplomatic relations if the latter carries out the death sentence on Jadhav.

&quot;There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Jadhav. If anything, he is the victim of a plan that seeks to cast aspersions on India to deflect international attention from Pakistan&#39;s well-known record of sponsoring and supporting terrorism,&quot; Sushma Swaraj said in a&nbsp;statement in both Houses of Parliament. 
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&quot;Under these circumstances, we have no choice but to regard the sentence, if carried out, as an act of pre-meditated murder,&quot; she said, adding that the sentence by the Pakistani military court was based on &quot;concocted charges&quot;.

&quot;Let me state clearly that the government and the people of India would view very seriously the possibility that an innocent Indian citizen is facing a death sentence in Pakistan without due process and in violation of basic norms of law, justice and international relations. 
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&quot;I would caution the Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter,&quot; Swaraj said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> LIVE: EAM Sushma Swaraj speaking in Rajya Sabha on death sentence to Kulbhushan Jadhav <a href="https://t.co/BkC6ws2kws">https://t.co/BkC6ws2kws</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/851681759028695040">April 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Replying to a suggestion by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Swaraj said the government will not only ensure that Jadhav is provided with the best of lawyers in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, but will take up it with the President of Pakistan also. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&quot;Whatever is necessary, we will do,&quot; she said, adding that Jadhav was &quot;not only the son of his parents, but is the son of India.&quot; 
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Swaraj said Jadhav was doing business in Iran and was abducted and taken to Pakistan. &quot;The exact circumstances are unclear and can only be ascertained if we have consular access to him&quot;, which has been denied by the Pakistani authorities. 
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&quot;It is extraordinary that yesterday, a decision is suddenly announced awarding a death sentence in this case when previous exchanges with India itself underlines the insufficiency of evidence,&quot; she said. 
 
Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh questioned Pakistan&#39;s allegations of Jadhav being a spy and said he had a valid Indian visa.&nbsp;

&quot;Indian Government will do whatever possible for Kulbhushan Jadhav... want to assure all that justice will be done with him,&quot; Singh said.&nbsp;

Early today,&nbsp;Congress called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and secure Jadhav&#39;s release.

&quot;Death sentence is a deliberate provocation to India. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government needs to travel beyond advisories. PM must intervene to secure his release,&quot; senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala&nbsp;said on Twitter.&nbsp;

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2/3 Death sentence is a deliberate provocation to India. BJP Govt needs to travel beyond advisories. PM must intervene to secure his release
&mdash; Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/851642157723267072">April 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Hours after Pakistan announced that&nbsp;Jadhav, who was arrested in March 2016, has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-military-court-sentences-spy-kulbhushan-jadhav-to-death-india-calls-it-a-farce-14382">sentenced to death</a>, India&nbsp;on Monday halted the release of 12 Pakistani prisoners who were scheduled to be repatriated on Wednesday after the completion of their prison term.

Officials&nbsp;told news agency&nbsp;PTI that the Indian government feels it is not the right time for the release of the Pakistani prisoners.

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court for &quot;his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan&quot;, Pakistan&nbsp;media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military&#39;s media wing.

&quot;The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence,&quot; the ISPR said in a statement.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added.

India on Monday also summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and issued a demarche for awarding the death sentence to Jadhav.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was not&nbsp;informed about Jadhav&#39;s trial.

Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran last year and according to MEA his presence in Pakistan has never been explained credibly by the Pakistani authorities.

&quot;If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the Government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder,&quot; a statement from MEA read.&nbsp;

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Protest near Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi against death sentence given to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> <a href="https://t.co/oa9w0iJJ5i">pic.twitter.com/oa9w0iJJ5i</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/851680580479492096">April 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from DNA and&nbsp;PTI)

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Sushma Swaraj has warned Pakistan of 'consequences on diplomatic relations' if Jadhav's death sentence is carried out

Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, speaking in Parliament on Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence, reiterated his country's hardline stand on the issue. He openly hit back at Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj's statement in Parliament, and declared, "Pakistan is strong enough to defend itself. The desire for peace should not be seen as a weakness." "We have 80,000 troops stationed along the LoC (Line of Control)," he stated in Pakistan Parliament. Meanwhile, Opposition parties in India raised the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan, on charges of being a spy. As parliamentarians from different political parties condemned Pakistan's move, "Save Kulbhushan" was the sentiment that echoed in Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Indian Parliament. Swaraj warned Pakistan of consequences on diplomatic relations if the latter carries out the death sentence on Jadhav. "There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Jadhav. If anything, he is the victim of a plan that seeks to cast aspersions on India to deflect international attention from Pakistan's well-known record of sponsoring and supporting terrorism," Sushma Swaraj said in a statement in both Houses of Parliament. "Under these circumstances, we have no choice but to regard the sentence, if carried out, as an act of pre-meditated murder," she said, adding that the sentence by the Pakistani military court was based on "concocted charges". "Let me state clearly that the government and the people of India would view very seriously the possibility that an innocent Indian citizen is facing a death sentence in Pakistan without due process and in violation of basic norms of law, justice and international relations. "I would caution the Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter," Swaraj said. #WATCH LIVE: EAM Sushma Swaraj speaking in Rajya Sabha on death sentence to Kulbhushan Jadhav https://t.co/BkC6ws2kws — ANI (@ANI_news) April 11, 2017 × Replying to a suggestion by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Swaraj said the government will not only ensure that Jadhav is provided with the best of lawyers in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, but will take up it with the President of Pakistan also. "Whatever is necessary, we will do," she said, adding that Jadhav was "not only the son of his parents, but is the son of India." Swaraj said Jadhav was doing business in Iran and was abducted and taken to Pakistan. "The exact circumstances are unclear and can only be ascertained if we have consular access to him", which has been denied by the Pakistani authorities. "It is extraordinary that yesterday, a decision is suddenly announced awarding a death sentence in this case when previous exchanges with India itself underlines the insufficiency of evidence," she said. Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh questioned Pakistan's allegations of Jadhav being a spy and said he had a valid Indian visa. "Indian Government will do whatever possible for Kulbhushan Jadhav... want to assure all that justice will be done with him," Singh said. Early today, Congress called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and secure Jadhav's release. "Death sentence is a deliberate provocation to India. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government needs to travel beyond advisories. PM must intervene to secure his release," senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala said on Twitter. 2/3 Death sentence is a deliberate provocation to India. BJP Govt needs to travel beyond advisories. PM must intervene to secure his release — Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 11, 2017 × Hours after Pakistan announced that Jadhav, who was arrested in March 2016, has been sentenced to death, India on Monday halted the release of 12 Pakistani prisoners who were scheduled to be repatriated on Wednesday after the completion of their prison term. Officials told news agency PTI that the Indian government feels it is not the right time for the release of the Pakistani prisoners. Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court for "his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan", Pakistan media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing. "The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence," the ISPR said in a statement. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added. India on Monday also summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and issued a demarche for awarding the death sentence to Jadhav. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was not informed about Jadhav's trial. Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran last year and according to MEA his presence in Pakistan has never been explained credibly by the Pakistani authorities. "If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the Government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder," a statement from MEA read. Protest near Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi against death sentence given to #KulbhushanJadhav pic.twitter.com/oa9w0iJJ5i — ANI (@ANI_news) April 11, 2017 × (WION with inputs from DNA and PTI)

Kulbhushan Jadhav row: After Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj's statement, Pakistan defence minister says it's 'strong enough to defend itself'

India today decided not to release about a dozen Pakistani prisoners, who were to be repatriated on Wednesday, hours after Pakistani army chief approved the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for alleged &quot;espionage and sabotage&quot; activities.

The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here.

The prisoners were to be released as part of the practice by India and Pakistan to repatriate nationals lodged in each other&#39;s jail after they complete their sentence.

The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) found him guilty of &quot;all the charges&quot;, said the military&#39;s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Rawalpindi.

Angered by the development, India today said it will regard as &quot;premeditated murder&quot; if Pakistan carries out the death sentence &quot;without observing basic norms of law and justice&quot;.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a strongly-worded demarche.

(PTI)

The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here

India today decided not to release about a dozen Pakistani prisoners, who were to be repatriated on Wednesday, hours after Pakistani army chief approved the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for alleged "espionage and sabotage" activities. The government feels that it is not the right time for the release of Pakistani prisoners, official sources said here. The prisoners were to be released as part of the practice by India and Pakistan to repatriate nationals lodged in each other's jail after they complete their sentence. The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) found him guilty of "all the charges", said the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Rawalpindi. Angered by the development, India today said it will regard as "premeditated murder" if Pakistan carries out the death sentence "without observing basic norms of law and justice". Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and issued a strongly-worded demarche. (PTI)

India won't release Pakistani prisoners after Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence

Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on allegations of spying, has been awarded death sentence by a military court, Pak media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military&#39;s media wing.

He was sentenced to death for &quot;his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan&quot;, the military said.

&quot;The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence,&quot; the military&#39;s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added.

Even as the news spread, the Ministery of External Affairs(MEA) in India summoned Abdul Basit, the Pakistan High Commissioner &amp; issued a demarche saying proceedings that led to the sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav were &quot;farcical&quot;.

&quot;If basic norms of law and justice are not observed then the government and people of India will regard it as premeditated murder,&quot; MEA said in the demarche.

&quot;It is significant that our High Commission was not even informed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was being brought to trial,&quot; the statement added.

Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was &quot;a serving officer in the Indian Navy&quot;.

The Pakistan Army had also released a &quot;confessional video&quot; of Jadhav.&nbsp;India had demanded Consular access to Jadhav, but Pakistan repeatedly denied it.&nbsp;The ISPR statement, however, said Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was &quot;provided with defending officer as per legal provisions&quot;.

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Demarche issued by MEA to Pakistan High Commissioner today. Pl see press release at <a href="https://t.co/K55zof27it">https://t.co/K55zof27it</a> <a href="https://t.co/PLZCv5B3gD">pic.twitter.com/PLZCv5B3gD</a>
&mdash; Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/851399663638921217">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Jadhav reportedly entered Pakistan&#39;s Balochistan from Iran. He was arrested by Pakistan security officials on March 3 last year on allegations of planning subversive activities in the country.

India has acknowledged that he was a retired Indian Navy officer but refuted the allegations that he is connected to the government in any way.

&nbsp;

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Indian R&amp;AW agent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kalbushan?src=hash">#Kalbushan</a> awarded death sentence through FGCM by Pakistan Army for espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/ltRPbfO30V">pic.twitter.com/ltRPbfO30V</a>
&mdash; Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/851365691898724352">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In 2013, an Indian national, Sarabjit, was brutally killed by fellow inmates&nbsp;in Lahore&#39;s Kot Lakhpat jail. He was sentenced to death in 1991&nbsp;for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings in Pakistan.&nbsp;

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Anything is possible in Pak, after all they&#39;ve hanged one of their Prime Ministers in past: AS Dulat, former RAW Chief on Kulbhushan Jadhav <a href="https://t.co/vtZuALDeKs">pic.twitter.com/vtZuALDeKs</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/851404178266230785">April 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Pakistan claims Jadhav was arrested from the restive Balochistan province in March last year after he reportedly entered from Iran

Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistan on allegations of spying, has been awarded death sentence by a military court, Pak media reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing. He was sentenced to death for "his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan", the military said. "The spy has been tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act and awarded death sentence," the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence, the statement added. Even as the news spread, the Ministery of External Affairs(MEA) in India summoned Abdul Basit, the Pakistan High Commissioner & issued a demarche saying proceedings that led to the sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav were "farcical". "If basic norms of law and justice are not observed then the government and people of India will regard it as premeditated murder," MEA said in the demarche. "It is significant that our High Commission was not even informed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was being brought to trial," the statement added. Pakistan claims its security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy". The Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav. India had demanded Consular access to Jadhav, but Pakistan repeatedly denied it. The ISPR statement, however, said Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was "provided with defending officer as per legal provisions". Demarche issued by MEA to Pakistan High Commissioner today. Pl see press release at https://t.co/K55zof27it pic.twitter.com/PLZCv5B3gD — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2017 × Jadhav reportedly entered Pakistan's Balochistan from Iran. He was arrested by Pakistan security officials on March 3 last year on allegations of planning subversive activities in the country. India has acknowledged that he was a retired Indian Navy officer but refuted the allegations that he is connected to the government in any way. Indian R&AW agent #Kalbushan awarded death sentence through FGCM by Pakistan Army for espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/ltRPbfO30V — Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) April 10, 2017 × In 2013, an Indian national, Sarabjit, was brutally killed by fellow inmates in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail. He was sentenced to death in 1991 for his alleged involvement in a string of bombings in Pakistan. Anything is possible in Pak, after all they've hanged one of their Prime Ministers in past: AS Dulat, former RAW Chief on Kulbhushan Jadhav pic.twitter.com/vtZuALDeKs — ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2017 × (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan military court sentences 'spy' Kulbhushan Jadhav to death, India calls it a 'farce'

Many of the &quot;terrorists&quot; arrested by Pakistan in the last three years have links to Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, according to Pakistan&#39;s Intelligence Bureau.

Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Aftab Sultan also said that foreign players and anti-state elements were plotting to botch the lucrative China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistan intelligence agency chief made these comments at a Senate standing committee meeting on Tuesday months after an arrested spy named Kulbhushan Jadhav disclosed his links with Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India&#39;s primary foreign intelligence bureau.&nbsp;

&quot;Out of the 865 terrorists arrested during the last three years, a significant number had connections with India&rsquo;s RAW and the Afghan NDS (National Directorate of Security),&rdquo; said the chief of intelligence agency, Pakistan daily Dawn reported.

He also said they were keeping a &quot;close eye&quot;&nbsp;on the anti-state elements who are keen on sabotaging the multi-billion dollar CPEC project.

&ldquo;We will not allow the militant organizations and foreign intelligence agencies to succeed in their design to sabotage CPEC,&rdquo; Sultan said during the Tuesday meeting, Pakistan daily The Nation reported.

Besides the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, the other groups that are a threat to the CPEC project are:&nbsp;Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ((TTP) Lashker-e-Jhangvi, East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a $45 billion project that encompasses several development works aimed to augment and refurbish infrastructure in Pakistan. The 3,218 km-long corridor will add 700,000 direct jobs between 2015 and 20130 and boost the domestic economy by 2.5 per cent, according to a <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/pk/Documents/risk/pak-china-eco-corridor-deloittepk-noexp.pdf">Deloitte report</a>.

Spy&#39;s links with India

Pakistan has long been concerned about India&#39;s involvement in Balochistan.

Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s arrest&nbsp;in March during a raid in Balochistan&#39;s Chaman area&nbsp;was key for Pakistan as he confessed to being a RAW spy and a former Indian Navy officer.&nbsp;

&quot;I am basically the man for Mr Anil Kumar Gupta who is the joint secretary of RAW and his contacts in Pakistan,&quot; he said in a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfBGf6mS4es">confessional video</a>.

India admitted Jadhav was a former navy officer but denied his connection with RAW.

(WION)

Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau chief Aftab Sultan also spoke of foreign threat to the lucrative China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Many of the "terrorists" arrested by Pakistan in the last three years have links to Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, according to Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau. Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General Aftab Sultan also said that foreign players and anti-state elements were plotting to botch the lucrative China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan intelligence agency chief made these comments at a Senate standing committee meeting on Tuesday months after an arrested spy named Kulbhushan Jadhav disclosed his links with Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's primary foreign intelligence bureau. "Out of the 865 terrorists arrested during the last three years, a significant number had connections with India’s RAW and the Afghan NDS (National Directorate of Security),” said the chief of intelligence agency, Pakistan daily Dawn reported. He also said they were keeping a "close eye" on the anti-state elements who are keen on sabotaging the multi-billion dollar CPEC project. “We will not allow the militant organizations and foreign intelligence agencies to succeed in their design to sabotage CPEC,” Sultan said during the Tuesday meeting, Pakistan daily The Nation reported. Besides the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies, the other groups that are a threat to the CPEC project are: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ((TTP) Lashker-e-Jhangvi, East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a $45 billion project that encompasses several development works aimed to augment and refurbish infrastructure in Pakistan. The 3,218 km-long corridor will add 700,000 direct jobs between 2015 and 20130 and boost the domestic economy by 2.5 per cent, according to a Deloitte report. Spy's links with India Pakistan has long been concerned about India's involvement in Balochistan. Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest in March during a raid in Balochistan's Chaman area was key for Pakistan as he confessed to being a RAW spy and a former Indian Navy officer. "I am basically the man for Mr Anil Kumar Gupta who is the joint secretary of RAW and his contacts in Pakistan," he said in a confessional video. India admitted Jadhav was a former navy officer but denied his connection with RAW. (WION)

Many terrorists arrested in Pakistan 'have links to Indian, Afghan intelligence agencies', says Pak Intelligence Bureau

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