Pakistan agrees to let Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife visit him
What's the story
In a surprise move, Pakistan has offered to arrange a meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife. Pakistan's Foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said the decision, taken "purely on humanitarian grounds," was conveyed to Indian authorities. This could lead to Jadhav's first meeting with his family since his imprisonment 20-months-ago. A Pakistani military court sentenced Jadhav to death in April on espionage charges.
Background
Kulbhushan Jadhav case: What has happened so far?
April 2016: Pakistan arrests Jadhav on suspected involvement in espionage activities. April 2017: Jadhav receives a death sentence for waging war against Pakistan; Islamabad denies India's 16th request for consular access. May 2017: Ruling in India's favor, ICJ orders Pakistan to stay Jadhav's execution until further notice. June 2017: Islamabad conveys it won't execute Jadhav until all mercy appeals are exhausted.
Details
Pakistan had earlier rejected a visa to Jadhav's mother
Pakistan has repeatedly denied the Indian government's requests for consular access to Jadhav. Jadhav's mother Avanti had previously tried securing a Pakistani visa to challenge the death sentence verdict awarded to her son by the military court. The visa application was rejected despite Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's intervention. India responded by temporarily denying medical visas to Pakistani citizens.
ICJ development
Meanwhile, Indian judge loses re-election bid for ICJ
Dalveer Bhandari, India's candidate for the ICJ, has lost a re-election vote in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. A final round of ballots on Monday will decide Bhandari's judgeship. The ICJ will give its final verdict on Jadhav's case in December. Pakistan has appointed an ad-hoc judge to the ICJ. If Bhandari loses, India won't have its own judge in the ICJ.