♤ The project through the development of Gwadar port also has strategic significance as it provides China a presence in the Indian Ocean.

♤ India’s main concern is regarding the alignment of the Project that passes through the

Gilgit-Baltistan region of Jammu and Kashmir and thus violates India’s sovereign claims.

1.8. The Kulbhushan Jadhav Issue

♤ Pakistan claimed to have arrested Jadhav from Balochistan on March 3, 2016. India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he was involved in business activities after retiring from the Indian Navy in 2002.

♤ In April 2017 Pakistan's military establishment announced that Jadhav would be hanged.

♤ Shortly after India approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ. As India was denied Consular access to Jadhav. India has accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention.

♤ Pakistan contended that the Vienna Convention provisions on consular access were not intended for a "spy" involved in subversive activities.

♤ India believes the ICJ can look into Jadhav’s case as both the countries are signatories to the optional protocol of the Vienna convention on consular relations (VCCR). The protocol says any dispute arising out of the interpretation or application of VCCR shall lie within the jurisdiction of the ICJ.