New Delhi: India categorically emphasised Thursday that there will be ‘no deal’ on the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot captured by Pakistan, sources stated here. They said that the Indian government is expecting that he be returned immediately. The same sources asserted that the government would not ask for consular access. “We want him back, that’s all,” government sources said.
Meanwhile the media has quoted Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as saying that Pakistan willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it leads to ‘de-escalation’ of the ongoing tension.
It should be mentioned here that the IAF pilot who has identified himself as Abhinandan Varthaman in a video grab released on social media platforms was was captured Wednesday after an aerial combat between Indian and Pakistani fighter planes. He had ejected from his MIG aircraft and had landed in Pakistan territory.
Sources said that government officials have already had a discussion with the Pakistani envoy on this issue. He has been handed over a demarche demanding the ‘immediate and safe return’ of the pilot. Sources also informed that the government has also strongly objected to Pakistan’s ‘vulgar display’ of the pilot and said Pakistan ‘would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to him’.
Reacting to a statement by the Qureshi that Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to hold talks with his Indian counterpart, sources said that India is first waiting for immediate, credible and verifiable action against terrorists and their proxies. Talks can only happen when Pakistan PM Imran Khan shows willingness on investigating the Pulwama terror attack. Pakistan must first take concrete specific and anti-terror steps before talks happen, the sources added.
Agencies
