There may be no validity to the Pakistani contention that the functioning of alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav furthered Indian strategic and military interests, yet the disgraceful treatment meted out to his wife and mother in Islamabad has had considerable political impact. It has proved a rare rallying point around which Indian parties, unable to conduct a civilised conversation most of the time, have closed ranks, condemned the unacceptable behaviour of the Pak authorities, and called upon the government to rigorously and robustly pursue the case in the International Court of Justice. The brand of unity and support displayed “across the aisle” in Parliament was reassuring at a point in time when political divisions appeared impossible to bridge. Whether Pakistan has forfeited what little international goodwill it retained by making a cruel charade of what it projected as a humanitarian gesture is something only time will confirm; it has definitely cemented Indian thinking even more than the state-sponsored terrorist strikes at Uri and IAF Pathankot.

A significant spin-off of that development was the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha “advising” members to be restrained in their rhetoric lest it cause further complications for Jadhav. Equally appreciable was the leader of the Opposition’s endorsing those sentiments. That over a dozen members from Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha unreservedly backed the government statement is a signal that Pakistan cannot afford to ignore, India stands strong and tall on issues on which political unanimity reigns. With her bold statement, a fine blend of the humane and political-diplomatic firmness, Mrs Sushma Swaraj succeeded in “carrying” the House with her. A lesser minister, anxious to garner political advantage, would hardly have had the same salutary effect. Mrs Swaraj did well to try and extend some solace to Jadhav’s mother, and the personal touch with which she laced her parliamentary presentation clearly touched many hearts. At the same time she was neither soft, goody-goody nor on the defensive. Pakistan was slammed, with the dignity the occasion demanded ~ there was no seeking to exploit an emotionally-charged moment to gain popularity. Ministers with such sensitivity and maturity are a rarity.

The Kulbhushan Jadhav affair, alas, still has some distance to travel and the government must ensure that there is no dilution or relaxation on the legal front: the effort must be to take the success already attained to its logical conclusion. Yet preparations will also have to be made to cater to other “possibilities”. Having raised the stakes so high, Jadhav and his kin would feel betrayed if the full weight of the government and people of India was not behind them all the way, regardless of the “way” circumstances may dictate has to be taken. Could his case be the one that brings Indian politics in from the cold ~ on one issue anyway?