India calls off maritime dialogue with Pakistan over RAW agent's death sentence
Isues related to fishermen and search and rescue operations were scheduled to be discussed.
NEW DELHI (Dunya News) - India has cancelled maritime security talks with Pakistan, scheduled for early next week, amid tensions over death sentence being awarded to Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent Kulbhushan Jadhav for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activites in Karachi and Balochistan.
A delegation led by Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to fishermen and search and rescue operations.
Indian News agency Press Trust of India quoted its sources in the Coast Guard as saying the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation’s visit.
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The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by army chief General Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of "espionage and sabotage activities" in Pakistan.
Security forces had arrested Jadhav from the restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. It also claimed that he was "a serving officer in the Indian Navy."
The Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Jadhav after his arrest.
INDIA STANDS EXPOSED
Speaking to Radio Pakistan on Saturday, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakariya said that India stands totally exposed on the issue of terror financing and perpetrating subversive acts in Pakistan.
He said India has been blowing the trumpet on the issue of terrorism since long but the fact is that the country’s intelligence agency itself is involved in terrorism.
Spokesman said the Indian spy has been awarded death sentence after due judicial process.
To a question, Nafees Zakariya said the United Nations and the US have expressed their desire to play a role for resolution of all disputes between the two countries including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
