In this March 29, 2016 photo, journalists look at an image of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested in March 2016, during a press conference by Pakistan’s army spokesman and the Information Minister, in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP Photo)
New Delhi: The Indian government has decided to put all bilateral talks with Pakistan on hold over the death sentence to Kulbhushan Jadhav.
The first casualty of the move has been talks between DGs of the Indian Coast Guard and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency which were scheduled to start on April 17.
Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar, DG of Pakistan Maritime Agency, was scheduled to visit New Delhi from April 16 to 19 for the meeting. Now, the meeting has been postponed
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“Postponement of talks have been conveyed to the Pakistani side. No new dates decided as yet,” a government source told CNN-News18.
Sources said that water secretary level talks are also on hold as India did not communicate acceptance of dates proposed by the Pakistan side. Pakistan proposed talks in April-end.
BJP leader Ram Madhav, reacting to the situation, said, “Pakistan’s attitude towards Jadhav is condemnable. Consular access was denied to the India High Commission which is violation of human rights. We will try to serve justice to Jadhav. We will raise this on international forum and discuss with leaders of other nations.”
Meanwhile, Iran reacted to reports of allegations that arrested gangster Uzair Baloch was working with Iranian intelligence agencies.
Baloch has also been linked to Jadhav. Pakistan army took custody Baloch for allegedly helping Jadhav spy against Pakistan.
Iran has cautioned against a “vilification campaign” launched against it on the basis of allegations. A statement issued by the Iranian embassy in Islamabad on Friday said “Unfounded rumours being circulated in some media during recent days about linking the activities of some miscreants with some Iranian organisations.”