How will this affect India-Pakistan relations post-Kashmir move?

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Pakistan Grants Consular Access to Kulbhushan Jadhav Amidst Heightened India-Pakistan Tensions

Pakistan announced it would provide consular access to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav on September 2, 2019, a move occurring weeks after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered a review of his death sentence. Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, described by Pakistan as a serving Indian naval officer and RAW operative, was arrested in March 2016 in Balochistan. India contests this narrative, asserting that Jadhav retired from the navy in 2001 and was captured in Iran. The ICJ's ruling mandated that Islamabad grant Jadhav consular access but did not order his release, a decision that came amidst a significant escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan following India's revocation of Kashmir's autonomy.
ICJ Ruling and Consular Access

The International Court of Justice, in its July ruling, directed Pakistan to provide consular access to Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav. This order, however, explicitly rejected India's plea for his release. The court's decision mandates that Pakistan review the conviction and sentence of Jadhav, a process which necessitates the provision of consular access. This legal intervention by the ICJ aimed to ensure due process for Jadhav, while also acknowledging Pakistan's sovereign right to prosecute individuals accused of espionage within its borders.
Pakistan's Position on Jadhav's Arrest

Pakistan maintains that Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav is an Indian spy and a RAW operative who was arrested in March 2016 in Balochistan. The province of Balochistan has been a focal point for Pakistan's accusations of Indian interference, with Islamabad alleging New Delhi's support for separatist movements there. India, conversely, claims that Jadhav had retired from naval service in 2001 and was operating a business in Chabahar, Iran, from where he was allegedly abducted and brought to Pakistan.
Broader Bilateral Tensions Post-Kashmir Move

The granting of consular access to Jadhav occurs against a backdrop of severely strained relations between India and Pakistan. These tensions have been significantly amplified by India's decision in August 2019 to revoke the special autonomy of its portion of the disputed Kashmir region. In response to this move, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan initiated a diplomatic offensive targeting India and organised public protests denouncing the actions taken by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Kashmir region has historically been a major point of contention, having been divided between the two nations since their independence and serving as the catalyst for numerous conflicts.

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How will this affect India-Pakistan relations post-Kashmir move?

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