In a first high-level contact between India and Pakistan in months Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj met with Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood earlier this week, officials have said.

Swaraj discussed the current state of affairs in bilateral relations with Mahmood, who officially took charge as Pakistan’s envoy to India last month.

Sources said the meeting with Mahmood took place on Monday after her office was approached by the Pakistan envoy. Swaraj is also learnt to have mentioned the need for Pakistan to review its position on Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian spy who remains in Pakistan’s custody.

India has stated that Pakistan must drop all charges against Jadhav and send him back, and that progress can only be made between the two countries after Jadhav’s case is discussed.

Jadhav’s case is currently being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which earlier this year put a stay on the death sentence awarded to him by a Pakistani military court.

Sources said the meeting with Mahmood took place on Monday after her office was approached by the Pakistan envoy. Swaraj is also learnt to have mentioned the need for Pakistan to review its position on Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian spy who remains in Pakistan’s custody.

India has stated that Pakistan must drop all charges against Jadhav and send him back, and that progress can only be made between the two countries after Jadhav’s case is discussed.

Jadhav’s case is currently being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which earlier this year put a stay on the death sentence awarded to him by a Pakistani military court.

This was Mahmood’s first meeting with a top government official after arriving in India. It is significant that days after meeting with Mahmood, Swaraj announced on Diwali that India will clear all medical visas sought by Pakistanis as a goodwill gesture.

“On the auspicious occasion of Deepawli, India will grant medical Visa in all deserving cases pending today,” tweeted Swaraj on Diwali.