Jadhav case: ICJ order a 'great relief', says Sushma; Rajnath expresses satisfaction
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday termed as a "great relief" the International Court of Justice (ICJ) order staying the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan and asserted that the government will "leave no stone unturned" to save him.
She also thanked senior lawyer Harish Salve who was India's attorney at the Hague and argued the case before the global court.
In a series of tweets, she said, "The ICJ order has come as a great relief to the family of Kulbhushan Jadhav and people of India."
Swaraj said, "We are grateful to Harish Salve for presenting India's case so effectively before ICJ. I assure the nation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi we will leave no stone unturned to save (him)."
She also complimented the team of officers from her ministry for their tireless efforts and hard work put up in the matter.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also welcomed the stay on the execution of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, on death row in Pakistan, saying the order gave people of India "a deep sense of satisfaction".
He said the Modi government will go "to any extent" to save Jadhav.
"The ICJ's decision to stay the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav gives the people of India a deep sense of satisfaction and relief," Singh said in a statement.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also welcomed the decision of the ICJ decision and said, "The case against Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan was a sham and was in gross violation of international law as his execution was ordered by a kangaroo court without consular access. It is appreciated that the World Court saw reason in the Indian appeal," he said in a statement.
The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha also appreciated the fact that the ICJ had turned down Pakistan's request that it be allowed to play a purported confessional video at the hearing.
He lauded the ICJ's unanimous decision granting a stay on the execution of Jadhav, who was sentenced to death in Pakistan on espionage charges.
Azad congratulated the Indian team which represented the country at The Hague and stressed that the Government should "leave no stone unturned" to ensure justice for Jadhav and his return.
The ICJ at the Hague stayed the execution of 46-year-old Indian Navy officer Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities.
In a major boost to India, which has moved the UN's highest judicial body in the case, the ICJ instructed Pakistan to take all "necessary measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav is not executed pending a final decision by it.