Indian official insulted my mother: Kulbhushan Jadhav's purported new video
In what could trigger a fresh diplomatic spat, Pakistan has released a video where Kulbhushan Jadhav can be purportedly heard saying an Indian official had insulted his mother. "There was an Indian diplomat with my mother, who was continuously shouting at her," Zee News quotes Jadhav as saying. Earlier, India had slammed Islamabad for mistreating Jadhav's family when they visited their son and husband.
Jadhav speaks in a new video
The case of Kulbhushan Jadhav
Jadhav, a Mumbai native, is believed to be a R&AW agent. A Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Navy, he is said to have sought retirement in 2013. In March'16, Jadhav was arrested by Pakistan on charges of espionage and festering terrorism in Balochistan. It then sentenced him to death, but the order was stayed by the International Court of Justice.
Pakistan allowed the family meeting, but no consular access
In December'17, Pakistan finally agreed to a family meeting after India requested several times. Earlier, Swaraj had written a personal letter appealing to the Pakistan government for the family's visa approval. However, its 15 requests for consular access were turned down, which India claims is violation of the Vienna Convention. India's deputy high commissioner in Islamabad was present at the meeting though.
Pakistan violated understanding, disrespected Jadhav's family: India
Later, India accused Pakistan of "violat(ing) the letter and spirit of our understandings". The MEA has said the meeting "lacked any credibility". The Pakistani press "harassed" the family, whose "cultural and religious sensibilities were disregarded". They were asked to remove mangalsutra, bindi etc and even prevented from speaking in their mother tongue. His wife's shoes were never returned. The atmosphere was "intimidating", India said.
New Delhi raised questions about Jadhav's health
The MEA also alleged Jadhav was "under considerable stress", his "remarks were tutored" and "his appearance raises questions of his well-being". The exercise was "an attempt to bolster a false and unsubstantiated narrative of Jadhav's alleged activities".
Thankful to Pakistan for allowing the meeting, Jadhav purportedly says
In the new video, Jadhav is purportedly heard saying he saw "fear" in his mother's eyes. "I want to tell India that I am a commissioned officer in the Indian Navy. Why're you lying about my working for an intelligence agency?" he says. He adds his mother was "very happy to see me in healthy condition". He thanks Pakistan for allowing the meeting.
