New Delhi,
Even amidst a political row over the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his wife and mother in Islamabad, possibility of another meeting with the family is not ruled out say sources.

However, Pakistan feels that its intention needs to be recognised which allowed the family to ascertain that Jadhav is still alive.

A senior Pakistani official cited the 2008 Consular Access Agreement to claim it is not in violation of any law.

The bilateral agreement says consular access must be provided “within three months to nationals of one country under arrest, detention or imprisonment in the other country”.

However, provision (vi) says, “In case of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds, each side may examine the case on its merits.”

Pakistani government officials argue that Jadhav, convicted for espionage and terrorism, fits the latter and may not be allowed consular access but is still being treated on humanitarian grounds.

The senior Pakistani official also claimed “jail manual” and “mutually accepted rules” were followed referring to the controversy over their change of attire and removal of ‘mangalsutra’, bindi and bangles .

The official hoped this episode will not cast a shadow over the piecemeal progress made over the last few months in humanitarian aspects of the relationship.

Despite bloodshed at the Line of Control in the past few months, the neighbours have issued visas to pilgrims and patients.

Prisoners, including civilians and fishermen in each other’s custody have been released by both sides.

A 12-year-old deaf and mute boy, Husnain, was repatriated to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah on first day of 2018.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also softened her position of issuing medical visas to only those Pakistani patients who could attach individual recommendation letter from her counterpart.

Pakistan High Commission in Delhi facilitated visas for 12,000 Bohras to travel to Karachi, nearly 2600 Sikh ‘yatris’ and some 90 pilgrims to travel to a Hindu temple in last four months.

However, 192 Pakistani pilgrims seeking to participate in Urs of Nizamuddin Aulia this week were denied visas by India without citing any reason.

The Pakistani government official hopes that incremental bridges remain in ties. Interestingly the National Security Advisors since their first quiet delegation talks in Bangkok in 2015 have remained in constant touch.

Sources confirmed that Ajit Doval and Lt Gen Nasser Janjua met one on one in Bangkok day after the Jadhav family meeting and have also previously interacted in Paris, Dubai and Moscow.