Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother and wife were made to change their clothes before meeting him
Highlights
- Pakistan insisted the Jadhavs were treated with "respect and dignity"
- Sushma Swaraj accused Pak of using emotional reunion as propaganda
- Kulbhushan Jadhav forced to see mother, wife like "widows": Sushma Swaraj
Lacerated by India over
how it treated Kulbhushan Jadhav's family, Pakistan on Thursday called the tightly-controlled meeting of the former naval officer with his wife and mother in Islamabad on Monday a "success despite all impediments".
In a hard-hitting statement in parliament, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said Pakistan had used the emotional reunion of a "mother with her son and a wife with her husband" after 22 months as a propaganda tool. "We condemn such shameful behaviour by Pakistan and will not take it silently. We will expose Pakistan's utterly disgusting behaviour," Ms Swaraj said.
"Indian allegations coming 24 hours after the visit are baseless, counterproductive and regrettable," responded Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs, hours later.
"It is essential to note that the humanitarian gesture does not obviate the fact that this was not an ordinary meeting between a mother and wife with their son and husband. The reality remains that Commander Jadhav is a convicted Indian terrorist and spy responsible for multiple deaths and destruction in Pakistan," claimed Islamabad in a statement.
Ms Swaraj told parliament this morning that Kulbhushan Jadhav was forced to see his mother and wife
in the form of "widows" as their mangalsutra, bindi and bangles -- symbols of marriage -- were taken away.
Kulbhushan Jadhav has been accused of espionage by Pakistan and has been sentenced to death.
In the name of security, she said, Mr Jadhav's mother and wife Chetankul were forced to change and wear salwar kameez.
"There was neither humanity nor goodwill in the meeting. Pakistan should be condemned in the strongest words," said the minister.
She described as "absurdity beyond measure" Pakistan's allegations on Chetankul Jadhav's shoes, which were taken away and never returned. "We were right in suspecting mischief... they keep saying there was a camera or chip or recorder in the shoes. The same shoes passed checks by two airlines -- Air India and Emirates. As they enter Pakistan, they have chips?"
Pakistan insisted the Jadhavs were treated with "respect and dignity" and were asked to change and remove jewellery "purely for security reasons".
"The
shoe of Commander Jadhav's wife was retained as it did not clear the security check," said Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said a "metal chip" was found in one of the shoes, which is being analysed.