India on Thursday said Pakistani officials had prevented Kulbhushan Jadhav, the “retired Indian naval officer” facing the death sentence in the neighbouring country on espionage charges, from giving a written consent to Indian consular officers to make arrangements for his legal representation.

Since the second consular access to Jadhav was again not “unimpeded, unhindered and unconditional”, the two Indian officers left the venue after lodging their protest at the intrusive manner of the entire exercise, which was also being recorded by Pakistan despite India specifically requesting that there should be no recording.

This is the second time Jadhav has been granted consular access since his arrest in March 2016.

The Indian external affairs ministry said on Thursday: “Pakistani officials with an intimidating demeanour were present in close proximity of Shri Jadhav and consular officers despite the protests of the Indian side. It was also evident from a camera that was visible that the conversation with Shri Jadhav was being recorded.

“Shri Jadhav himself was visibly under stress and indicated that clearly to the consular officers. The arrangements did not permit a free conversation between them. The consular officers could not engage Shri Jadhav on his legal rights and were prevented from obtaining his written consent for arranging his legal representation.”