Kulbhushan Jadhav Case: It is great victory for our country, says former Ambassador

Former Ambassador O P Gupta on Wednesday said that suspending the death sentence of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Yadav in Pakistan is a great victory for India. Jadhav, 49, was arrested in its restive southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 on charges of espionage.

New Delhi: In a major relief for India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday asked Pakistan to review its conviction and sentencing of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, facing execution on charges of spying.

The court has said that Jadhav’s death sentence should remain suspended until Pakistan effectively reviews and reconsiders the conviction/sentence in light of Pakistan’s breach of Article 36(1) of Vienna Convention i.e., denial of consular access and notification.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, former Ambassador O P Gupta said, "This is the first victory of India in this case and we must congratulate the new government to take up this case so effectively. International Court of Justice has held Pakistan responsible for violating article 36 of the convention."

"At this point of time we should effectively pursue this case, as per the international law and we should try to provide the best legal counsellor to Kulbhushan Jadhav. This is very necessary that we keep following it up," Gupta said.

Pakistan has said Jadhav, 49, was arrested in its restive southwestern province of Balochistan in March 2016 on charges of espionage. He was then sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in 2017, sparking outrage in India.