Kulbhushan Jadhav | Photo Credit: PTI

Key Highlights MEA said that a communication will continue with Pakistan through diplomatic channels ICJ had asked Pakistan to review the trial in which death penalty was awarded to Jadhav

New Delhi: India will get consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav on Friday- Pakistani media reported. Modalities of the access are being worked out, a Times Now channel report said citing sources. While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledged that a proposal has been received from Pakistan, spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Islamabad's actions are being evaluated as per the guidelines of the ICJ.

"We have received a proposal from Pakistan. We are evaluating the proposal in the light of ICJ judgement. We will maintain communication with Pakistan in this matter through diplomatic channels," Kumar said while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.

"The proposal sent by Pakistan is being evaluated by us as per the guidelines that were given by the ICJ. Whatever response is to be sent will be given by us timely through diplomatic channels," Kumar further said.

The decision to grant consular access to Jadhav was taken a day after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asked Islamabad to carry out an "effective review and reconsideration" of Jadhav's conviction.

According to the Indian submissions at the ICJ, Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy official, was 'kidnapped' from Iran before being jailed and convicted on charges of espionage. A 16-member bench of the ICJ voted 15-1 in staying Jadhav's conviction and pulled Pakistan for violating the Vienna convention.

"We said (earlier) that consular access will be given and (now) work has been started on that," Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) had said shortly after the ICJ verdict.

While India hailed the verdict as a vindication of its stand that Jadhav was kidnapped and not given a fair trial under Vienna convention, Islamabad too claimed that it was a victory for Pakistan as the court did not order the return of Jadhav to India.