Sartaj Aziz spills beans on so-called Indian spy
A recent statement of Sartaj Aziz, Advisor on Foreign Affairs to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, on the alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, clearly reflects that country's double standards. According to sources, Aziz admitted that there was “insufficient evidence”, on the activities of Jadhav, who is currently under detention in Pakistan. If there is no credible proof against Jadhav’s suspected acts of terror or espionage, why is he languishing in a Pakistani jailIJ By now, the former Indian Naval officer, who was arrested by the Pakistani authorities in March, should have been released. Predictably, hours after Aziz’s bombshell, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry disowned the statement attributed to Aziz, stating that it was “absolutely incorrect”. The entire episode highlights the Pakistani establishment’s devious role right from the beginning of the episode. From the statement Aziz made in the Pakistani Senate, about Jadhav, it seems that Islamabad is awaiting some conclusive proof that is to miraculously appear and fix the so-called Indian spy. For now, Jadhav’s fate is uncertain. It is disheartening to note that Pakistan has been denying India consular access to the detained Indian. As per the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 (Vienna Convention), states can have consular access to their nationals, arrested or detained in other countries, on alleged charges of terrorism or espionage.
It is possible that Pakistani is taking advantage of some ambiguity in its domestic law, which is not clear on consular access to a foreign national accused of espionage or terrorism. And yet, Pakistan could have honoured India’s request so that the case would have seen progress and an atmosphere of goodwill between the two nations had been established to some extent. Pakistan may take the plea that it needs time to study the request and in the meantime do a thorough check on the allegations that the detained Indian faces, before it allows consular access to India. But, whatever Islamabad may say, the fact is that its refusal directly violates the Vienna Convention’s sub-Clause (C) of Clause 1 of Article 36. Of course, this will not worry Pakistan, which has made it a habit to flout international norms, whether it be in the process of acquiring nuclear weapons capability or dealing with terror organisations that have caused havoc in the South Asian region.
Sartaj Aziz’s remarks have come soon after the conclusion of the Heart of Asia summit in Amritsar, where Pakistan stood isolated on the issue of terror. But the authorities, both in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, appear determined to damage any chance of reaching out to India. The way Jadhav has been sought to be framed is a clear indication of Pakistan’s intent — something which Aziz has inadvertently blurted out. No amount of damage-control exercise by that country’s Foreign Ministry can now undo the impact. It’s still not too late: Pakistan must first provide consular access and then end the issue with Jadhav’s release.