New Delhi: India today again asked Pakistan to give early consular access to its national Kulbhushan Jadav, who has been sentenced to death by a Military court in Pakistan. The fresh request to Pakistan for full consular access to Jadav came after a MEA statement on exchange of list of their nationals (including civil prisoners and fishermen) lodged in the jails of the other country. Besides Jadav, India also demanded access to Hamid Nehal Ansari, who went missing in Pakistan while searching for a girl he fell in love with over the Internet. The diplomatic exchange took place in New Delhi and Islamabad. Both the countries have their agreement on consular access. The agreement, which was signed on May 21, 2008, provides that a comprehensive list of nationals of each country who are in other country’s jails, has to be exchanged twice each year, on January 1 and July 1. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, “India remains committed to addressing on priority all humanitarian matters with Pakistan, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen. In this context, we await from Pakistan confirmation of nationality of those in India’s custody who are otherwise eligible for release and repatriation.” India also requested Pakistan for early release and repatriation of Indian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats whose nationality has been confirmed by India, the statement added.
