Pilot cannot be a bargaining chip, says Indian govt
Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan will free captured IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Friday as a peace gesture, its Premier Imran Khan announced Thursday, hours after his foreign minister said the Pakistani leader is ready for telephonic talks with his Indian counterpart to de-escalate tensions.
The surprise announcement came on the heels of India sending a strong message to Pakistan rejecting the possibility of any deal for securing the release of the pilot and demanding his unconditional repatriation. Indian government sources said the pilot cannot be a bargaining chip.
“In our desire for peace, I announce that tomorrow (Friday), and as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will release the IAF officer in our custody,” Khan said. The announcement during a joint session of Parliament was greeted by thumping of desks by lawmakers.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who had earlier said Pakistan was willing to return the pilot if it leads to “de-escalation” of tensions with India, said Imran Khan was ready to talk to PM Modi and “ready to extend an invitation of peace. Is Modi ready?,” he told Geo News.
The pilot bailed out and landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after his MiG 21 was brought down during a fierce aerial engagement Wednesday with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. As international pressure mounted on India and Pakistan to show restraint and deescalate tensions, American President Donald Trump said the US has some “reasonably attractive news” from the two countries.
“We have been involved in trying to help them (India and Pakistan) stop and we have some reasonably decent news,” he said in his opening statement at a press conference at the end of his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi.
“I think (tensions) could be coming to an end, it has been going on for a long time,” said Trump amid efforts by backchannel interlocutors considered close to the two countries to defuse Indo-Pak tensions that spiked after the Pulwama suicide attack by a JeM bomber February 14 in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.
Qureshi said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir will visit Islamabad “carrying an important message” from the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. In New Delhi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to India called on Prime Minister Modi.
Pakistani Air Force Wednesday carried out a retaliatory strike across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and attempted to target military installations, a day after Indian struck inside Pakistan, destroying the biggest terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Wing Commander Varthaman was safe and sound. In Delhi, top government official said the IAF pilot cannot be a bargaining chip and that India will not strike any deal with Pakistan for his release.
The sources said India has not sought any consular access to Wing Commander Varthaman as his immediate release is “non-negotiable” and that the onus on deescalating tension between the two countries lies entirely on Islamabad.
“We want him back unharmed, unconditionally and immediately. He is not a bargaining chip. There is no question of any deal with Pakistan on his return,” the sources added. The father of Wing Commander Varthaman said he was proud of his son’s bravery and thanked the people for their support and good wishes.