Pakistan Refuses Details on Consular Access to Indian Nationals Accused of Spying

Pakistan on Friday refused to share details on any consular access to the two Indian nationals held in the neighbouring country on accusations of spying

On Friday, Pakistan declined to provide detailed information about consular access to two Indian nationals held on spying charges, only acknowledging that such access has been granted periodically. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch responded to inquiries about consular access to the two Indian prisoners, emphasizing that such arrangements have been made "from time to time."

According to The Express Tribune, Pakistani authorities recently allowed Indian diplomats to meet with the two accused individuals, identified as Feroze Lone, 29, and Noor Muhammad Wani, 24. The two men, who hail from the Gurez area of Jammu and Kashmir, were arrested in 2020 in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistani reports claim they were involved in espionage activities.

The consular meeting took place at Adiala Jail, where a three-member delegation from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad met with the prisoners. Interior Ministry officers were also present during the meeting. Indian sources reported that Lone and Wani had been missing since November 2018, and it was believed they had crossed into Pakistan illegally before being detained on charges of spying.

The issue of consular access between India and Pakistan has a contentious history. One notable case is that of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national arrested by Pakistan in 2016 and sentenced to death by a military court for espionage and terrorism. Despite India's repeated requests, Pakistan initially denied consular access to Jadhav. India took the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in favor of India. The ICJ directed Pakistan to grant consular access to Jadhav, annul his death sentence, and conduct a civilian trial. Following the ICJ's order, Indian officials were finally allowed to meet Jadhav under strict security at the Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Consular access is a crucial aspect of international relations and diplomatic protocols, as it allows countries to provide support to their nationals detained abroad. The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations outlines the rights of consular access and assistance, aiming to ensure fair treatment and legal representation for detainees. In cases involving allegations of espionage, the provision of consular access becomes even more critical, given the sensitive nature of the charges and the potential for diplomatic tensions.

The recent consular access granted to Feroze Lone and Noor Muhammad Wani indicates a willingness on both sides to adhere to diplomatic norms, despite ongoing political and military tensions between India and Pakistan. While Pakistan's refusal to divulge detailed information on consular communications keeps certain aspects of the situation opaque, the acknowledgment of such access suggests a degree of compliance with international diplomatic standards.

For further context, Gilgit-Baltistan, where Lone and Wani were arrested, is a region of strategic importance. It is part of the larger Kashmir conflict, which has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. Both countries claim the entire region but control only parts of it. The geopolitical significance of the area adds another layer of complexity to cases of alleged espionage.

As India and Pakistan navigate their diplomatic relationship, cases like these highlight the delicate balance of maintaining national security while adhering to international legal obligations. The provision of consular access, though sporadic, is a step towards upholding the rights of detainees and managing bilateral relations in a highly charged environment.