Here is what India is doing to free Kulbhushan Jadhav

A process to identifying a high-value Pakistani prisoner has been started. Once that is done, the talks to for a prisoner swap will commence, according to informed sources.

There is hectic behind the scenes activity on to secure the release of Kulbhushan Jadhav who was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court. Informed sources tell OneIndia that legal and diplomatic options are being explored which includes a high-profile prisoner swap to get Jadhav back.

The two legal options are to file an appeal within the 60-day stipulated period, or seek a pardon by the President. However, both these options would have to be exercised by Jadhav. The Indian government would tell Jadhav's family to appeal in Pakistan's Supreme Court.

India has also begun the process of identifying a high-value Pakistani prisoner. Once this is done and if the legal route fails, then talks of a prisoner swap will commence. The government is also looking to find a way to negotiate a deal which would be beneficial to Islamabad.

India is also likely to get in touch with National Security Advisor of the United States H R McMaster in this regard. If the American NSA is briefed then he could convey the message across to his Pakistani counterpart, Naseer Januja. McMaster and Januja are expected to meet soon.

India's NSA Ajit Doval has sought for a dossier on all the options available for Jadhav's release. India is moving at a fast pace to get these formalities completed. While the death sentence has been announced, Pakistan has not indicated any date as yet on when it would be executed. A senior official in Delhi said that so far no outreach has taken place, but he also expressed confidence that Jadhav would be freed.

OneIndia News