India has called off maritime security dialogue with Pakistan, scheduled for early next week, amid tensions over death sentence being awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of spying. 

A delegation led by Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) was to visit New Delhi April 16-19 to discuss issues related to fishermen and search and rescue operations. 

b’Representational Image | Source: PTI/File Photoxc2xa0′

Coast Guard sources said the Ministry of Defence has not given clearance for the delegation’s visit. 

The development comes amid tension between the two countries over Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer, being awarded death sentence by a Pakistani military court. 

India has said if Jadhav were to be executed, it will be considered as a “premeditated murder”. 

Feature image source: ANI/File Photo