By the Editor: Siddharth Sehgal

Few days ago International Court of Justice gave a momentous decision in favour of India on the issue abduction and consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national abducted by Pakistan and accused of espionage. The court affirmed that Pakistan is wrong to deny consular access to a foreign citizen and have to ensure a fair and open trial to imprisoned Jadhav.

Those who don’t know Kulbhushan Jadhav is an Indian citizen imprisoned in Pakistan on charges of terrorism and espionage but what is not well known that Jadhav was doing business in Iran when he was illegally abducted by Pakistani agents. A military court in Pakistan gave Jadhav a death sentence and released statements for propaganda purposes which were clearly made in duress. Pakistan wants to build a false case of accusing India for its internal problems. From failures in economy to lack of democracy to spread of terrorism, Pakistan has a make shift excuse to all its problems, India and in order to bolster this facade and divert attention from real problems, it tries to come up with tricks and schemes against India. Jadhav was abducted in 2016 and has been in custody of Pakistan ever since. This verdict of ICJ should be a wake up call to Imran Khan and given that implications can be much more serious Khan’s government they continue to play dirty diplomatic games there is a hope of getting justice for Jadhav.

Indian government should keep up the pressure on Pakistan; we should raise this issue directly with creditors of Pakistan and try our level best to put holes in their purse. The recent arrest of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed is also no more than a sham. It has been done in the past and people like Saeed are released as soon as clouds look clear. Pakistan’s double standards are not new to the world and sanctions like North Korea can only bring it’s military establishment, the behind the scenes ruler of Pakistan, to senses. If we have to bring Jadhav back home we have to keep pressure on Pakistan, just like our military action forced Pakistan to release wing commander Abhinandan we should keep up the fight in international stage whether it’s ICJ or security council. It’s going to be a long fight and we hope that we will be able to get Jadhav back to India.