Consider consequences of Jadhav death sentence on ties: Pakistan told

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) India on Tuesday cautioned Pakistan over the consequences on bilateral ties if it went ahead with former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence.

"I would caution the Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Rajya Sabha, assuring that the Indian government "will go out of the way to save him (Jadhav)".

"There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by Kulbhushan Jadhav. This is an act of premeditated murder," Sushma Swaraj said.

She said the government would appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and would petition the President of the country to save "the son of the nation".

The matter was raised in the house with opposition and the treasury benches jointly expressing solidarity with Jadhav, who was awarded the capital punishment by a Pakistani Field General Court Martial. Army chief General Qamar Javed has confirmed the sentencing.

Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016, reportedly in Balochistan. He has been accused of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan".