MEA raises concerns over Kulbhushan Jadhav's health and well-being

The Ministry of External Affairs today questioned whether Pakistan was living up to its assurances on the well-being of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former Indian Navy officer, who was arrested in Pakistan for alleged spying activities.

The MEA statement said, "India notes with regret the way Pakistan conducted meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family which violated the letter and spirit of our understandings."

Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs said there was an atmosphere of intimidation and disrespect that Jadhav's family felt on their visit to Pakistan recently, to meet him.

Kumar said from the feedback India had received of the meeting, it appears that Jadhav was under "considerable stress" and speaking in an atmosphere of "coercion"

The family were made to change clothes before meeting him, and the MEA alleged that there was no respect paid to general cultural sentiment, under the pretext of security precautions.

The MEA also said that Jadhav's physical state brought about immediate questions about his health and well-being, while also saying that the family had handled the situation with dignity throughout the alleged harrassment from Pakistani authorities.