India has sent eight note verbales to Pakistan for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and 42 such communications in case of Nehal Ansari, External Affairs Ministry said today.
Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also rejected as "completely baseless" Pakistan's allegations against Jadhav, an Indian national and a former Indian Navy officer.
Asked about media reports quoting Pakistan Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz as saying there was no "conclusive evidence" against Jadhav which were later denied by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Swarup said, "We have seen conflicting media reports about this issue. This is a pattern we have seen in the past as well."
Even after more than nine months of keeping him "wrongfully and illegally" in custody, Pakistani authorities have not found a shred of evidence against him, he said.
"We demand immediate consular access to him in accordance with relevant international conventions and his earliest release from wrongful confinement. We have also sent eight Note Verbales to the Pakistan Foreign Office on this issue," Swarup added.
On another Indian national Ansari, who had reportedly crossed over for his lady love, the spokesperson said Indian Mission is closely following up this matter and has issued more than 42 note verbales to the Pakistan Foreign Office.
"In response to our latest Note Verbale dated November 15, Pakistan responded on November 25 stating that concerned authorities in Pakistan are 'mindful of their responsibilities regarding Ansari who is safe, secure and in good health'. However, it must be noted that Pakistan has yet to provide us consular access to Ansari," he said.
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