Pakistan should immediately release Jadhav: EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi: A day after the International Court of Justice ordered a review of the death penalty to Kulbhushan Jadhav, India Thursday asked Pakistan to release the former Navy officer forthwith and vowed to vigorously continue efforts to bring him back.

Making a statement in both houses of Parliament on the ICJ judgement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "Pakistan was found to have deprived India of the right to communicate with Jadhav, have access to him, visit him in detention and arrange his legal representation."

"Kulbhushan Jadhav is innocent of the charges made against him. His forced confession without legal representation and due process will not change this reality," he said.

"We once again call upon Pakistan to release and repatriate him forthwith," the minister said.

The International Court of Justice on Wednesday directed Pakistan to suspend the death sentence given in 2017 to Jadhav on charges of espionage and sabotage.

"The Government will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure his safety and wellbeing, as well as his early return to India," Jaishankar said as members cutting across party lines welcomed the landmark judgement by thumping benches.

Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017.