While welcoming Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release the captured Indian pilot, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May Sunday stressed the need for both India and Pakistan to de-escalate.
In a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the British PM said the UK was in touch with both sides in this regard, a Foreign Office statement said.
The prime minister apprised his British counterpart of Pakistan’s perspective on the developments since the Pulwama incident.
Prime Minister May said Imran Khan’s decision of releasing the Indian pilot has been widely appreciated by the international community. Prime Minister Khan invited the UK prime minister to visit Pakistan, who reciprocated the invitation.
Meanwhile, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan and appreciated Pakistan’s gesture of releasing the Indian pilot.
Pakistan had released Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday who was captured when his MiG-21 military aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force for violating the Pakistani airspace. The Qatari emir underscored the importance of immediate de-escalation and offered his facilitation in this regard, the Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement. “Amir of Qatar and PM Khan spoke on phone. Amir appreciated Pakistan’s gesture of releasing the Indian POW and underscored the importance of immediate de-escalation. He offered his facilitation in this regard @MofaQatar_EN.” According to Qatar News Agency, the two leaders exchanged views on the regional and international developments, especially the differences between Pakistan and India. The Qatari emir called for calm between the two neighboring countries.
Published in Daily Times, March 4th 2019.
