New Delhi is planning to slow down the issuance of visas to Pakistani applicants in retaliation to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence, the Indian Express reported.
Artists, singers and actors are likely to be the first group to be singled out for maximum impact.
The initial plan was to block visas for all Pakistani nationals, sources told the Indian Express. However, India is ‘testing’ waters by targeting ‘high-visibility’ groups to gauge the effect of the move.
The government is also contemplating the idea of placing a blanket ban. However, they acknowledge it will be difficult to implement because students and patients require humanitarian intervention.
“The present situation, after Yadav’s sentencing, is going to get worse. The missions will have to work with depleted strength for some more months now, it seems,” said sources.
The Indian government is also allegedly exploring a number of diplomatic and non-diplomatic options “to corner Pakistan on the issue.” “We are exploring soft as well as hard options,” said a source.
