The government has granted consular service on a gratis basis to foreign nationals. Consular assistance is the help and advice provided by the diplomatic agents of a country to citizens of that country who are living or travelling overseas. The diplomats may be honorary consuls, or members of the country's diplomatic service.
Also Read: Over 21K Foreigners Got Indian Citizenship In Last Decade
The facility will be provided on gratis basis, after a foreigner makes an online application. Exit to such foreign nationals, if so requested by them during this period, will also be granted to them up to 14 days beyond May 3, i.e. May 17, without levy of overstay penalty.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 28 had given relief to the foreigners till April 30 in the wake of 21-day countrywide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The facility has been extended till May 3 after extension of the lockdown for further 19 days.
The Government of India has suspended all existing visas granted to foreigners and all incoming passenger traffic into India through Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) till May 3.
The rules will be applied to all except certain categories, an order issued by the foreigners' division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.
The ministry decided to extend the suspension of all existing visas granted to foreigners, except to those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN or international organisations, and employment and project categories, till May 3 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The ministry further directed that all incoming passenger traffic into India through any of the 107 ICPs shall remain suspended till May 3, which is the last date of the second phase of countrywide lockdown imposed to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19.
Similar restrictions were earlier issued by the Home Ministry when the first 21-day lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the midnight March 24.
Also Read: Coronavirus: India Temporarily Suspends E-Visa Facility For Chinese And Foreigners Residing In China
Modi extended the lockdown for another 19 days on Tuesday as the pandemic is still growing in India, claiming 452 lives and the number of active cases going beyond the 11,500-mark.
However, no such restriction would apply on vehicles, planes, ships and trains carrying any goods and supplies, whether essential or non-essential, the government order said.
"Their crew, sailor, driver, helper and cleaner shall also be subjected to thorough medical screening for Covid-19," it said.
(With Agency Inputs)
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the two Indian officials from the Indian High Commission who were allowed to meet Jadhav left the meeting after lodging a protest as the consular access provided by Pakistan was "neither meaningful nor credible".
"Pakistani officials with an intimidating demeanour were present in close proximity of Jadhav and consular officers despite the protests of the Indian side. It was also evident from a camera that was visible that the conversation with Jadhav was being recorded," Srivastava said in a statement.
Pakistan provided the second consular access to Jadhav after holding extensive discussions with India.
"Jadhav himself was visibly under stress and indicated that clearly to the consular officers. The arrangements did not permit a free conversation between them. The consular officers could not engage Jadhav on his legal rights and were prevented from obtaining his written consent for arranging his legal representation," the MEA spokesperson said.
Earlier this month, Pakistan said Jadhav refused to file an appeal in the Islamabad High Court against his conviction despite Pakistan offering the option to him. India termed the claim by Pakistan as "farce" and that he was "coerced" to forego his rights.
"The consular officers were not given unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional access to Jadhav," Srivastava said.
"In the light of these circumstances, the Indian consular officers came to the conclusion that the consular access being offered by Pakistan was neither meaningful nor credible. After lodging a protest, they left the venue," he said.
Jadhav, a 50-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" in April 2017. Weeks later, India approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence.
The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July last year that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.
"It is clear that Pakistan's approach to this matter continues to be obstructive and insincere. It has not only violated its assurance to the ICJ to fully implement the 2019 judgement, but also failed to act in accordance with its own ordinance," Srivastava said.
He said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has apprised the family of Jadhav about Thursday's developments.
"We reiterate our commitment to ensure the safe return of Jadhav to India and will decide on a future course of action in the light of the events today," the MEA spokesperson said.
He said the consular access to Jadhav is of utmost importance as it is the basis for a process of effective review and reconsideration ordered by the ICJ in the case.
"It is already evident that Jadhav has been intimidated repeatedly in the past, including in being made to express his alleged disinclination to seek a review," he said.
Srivastava said India recently requested Pakistani for an unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional consular access to Jadhav and that it was asked to ensure that the meeting is held in an atmosphere free from fear of retribution and without the presence of any Pakistani officials.
Pakistan was also requested to not record carry out video or audio recording of the meeting, he added.
"We were assured that this consular access would be unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional. On the basis of this assurance by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, two consular officers of the High Commission proceeded to the meeting with Jadhav," he said.
"Regrettably however, neither the environment nor the arrangements of the meeting were in accordance with the assurances of Pakistan," he added.
In May 2020, Pakistan passed an ordinance, ostensibly to comply with the order of the ICJ.
"It inter-alia envisaged the Consular Officer of the High Commission of India filing a petition before a High Court for the relevant review and reconsideration," said Srivastava.
(PTI)
Also Read:
India Seeks Consular Access To Its 2 Nationals Arrested By Pakistan
Pakistan Rules Out Any Deal With India In Kulbhushan Jadhav’s Case
"We stand committed to protect the life of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav," external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at an online media briefing.
He was replying to a batch of questions relating to the case including reports that Islamabad High Court has constituted a bench to hear a review petition filed by the Pakistan government in the case.
"We reserve our position in the matter which includes the right to avail of further remedies," Srivastava added.
India has been attacking Pakistan for failing to provide it unhindered and unimpeded consular access to Jadhav as mandated in a judgment by the International Court of Justice.
Srivastava said Pakistan has blocked all the avenues for an effective remedy available for India in the case.
In a unilateral move, Pakistan filed the petition in the Islamabad High Court on July 22, seeking appointment of a "legal representative" for Jadhav.
However, the main parties, including the Government of India, were not consulted ahead of the filing of the application by the Ministry of Law and Justice under an ordinance which was enacted on May 20.
Jadhav, a 50-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India approached the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence.
The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.
Pakistan enacted an ordinance called the 'International Court of Justice Review and Reconsideration Ordinance 2020' on May 20 under which a petition for the review of a military court's decision can be made to Islamabad High Court through an application within 60 days of its promulgation.
The Pakistan government has claimed that Jadhav refused to file a review petition or an application to reconsider the verdict.
According to Pakistani media reports, Islamabad High Court on Thursday constituted a two-member bench to hear the review petition filed by the Pakistan government in Jadhav's case.
(PTI)
You May Also Read:
Pakistan Govt To Table ‘Kulbhushan Ordinance’ In National Assembly
India Hits Out At Pakistan For Blocking All Avenues In Kulbhushan Jadhav Case