NEW DELHI – In an unprecedented move, Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj asked Pakistan on Monday to issue a visa to Kulbhushan Jadhav’s mother, after which India will issue the medical visas to Pakistani nationals seeking medical treatment in India.
In a series of tweets, Ms Sushma said, “I wrote a personal letter to Mr Sartaj Aziz for the grant of visa for Mrs Avantika Jadhav, who wants to meet her son, Kulbhushan Jadhav, however, Mr Aziz has not shown the courtesy even to acknowledge my letter.”
Kulbhushan Jadhav is a death row prisoner in Pakistan who was awarded death sentence by Field General Court Martial (FGMC) for espionage and subversive activities.
However, his execution was halted after India moved International Court of Justice which stopped Pakistan from doing so. The Indian offer to link visa approval of Jadhav’s mother with permission for ailing Pakistani nationals to visit India seems to be in flagrant contrast to the generosity it brags about internationally.
We also have a visa application pending for an Indian national Mrs.Avantika Jadhav who wants to meet her son in Pakistan /5
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
I wrote a personal letter to Mr.Sartaj Aziz for the grant of her visa to Pakistan. /7
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
However, Mr.Aziz has not shown the courtesy even to acknowledge my letter. /8
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
The minister also assured that Pakistani nationals seeking medical treatment in India will be granted visas immediately if Sartaz Aziz recommends them.
“I assure Pakistan nationals seeking medical visa with a recommendation from Mr Sartaj Aziz, we will issue the visa immediately.”
But I assure Pakistan nationals seeking medical visa with a recommendation from Mr.Sartaj Aziz, we will issue the visa immediately. /9
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
“I have my sympathies for all Pakistan nationals seeking medical visa for their treatment in India.” “I am sure Mr Sartaj Aziz also has consideration for the nationals of his country.”
I have my sympathies for all Pakistan nationals seeking medical visa for their treatment in India. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
All that we require is his recommendation for the grant of medical visa to Pakistan nationals. /3
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
I am sure Mr.Sartaj Aziz also has consideration for the nationals of his country. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
I see no reason why should he hesitate to give his recommendation for nationals of his own country. /4
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 10, 2017
