ET OnlineNEW DELHI: Pakistan said it was ready to negotiate the return of the IAF pilot in custody and take the necessary steps to de-escalate the situation post the air strikes at Balakot. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to talk to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi over the telephone and ready to extend an invitation of peace.
"If India wants to talk about terrorism then we are ready," Qureshi told a Pakistani news channel.
"Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," Qureshi said. "We are ready for every eventuality. If they give priority to peace, we are ready for peace. If they prioritise dialogue, we are ready for dialogue," the Foreign Minister said.
He also assured the safety of captured Indian Air Force pilot. "I want to assure the Indian public that your pilot is safe here. We are aware of Geneva Convention. The pilot is absolutely safe here, we are taking care of him pretty well, including medicine and food," he said.
On a question that India is expecting immediate and safe return of pilot Abhinandan, Qureshi said Pakistan is ready to think over the issue with an open heart. Qureshi also confirmed the receipt of India's dossier on the Pulwama terror attack
He said that Pakistan is ready to examine dossier given by India with an open heart. "I wish they [India] would have sent this dossier earlier. They attacked first and then sent the dossier. If they would have sent the dossier first and sought Pakistan’s answer there would be no need for an attack,” Qureshi said.
"Let's talk together on the basis of the dossier. I am ready to talk. You want to talk about terrorism, I am ready. You want to talk about peace, I am ready. You want to make it a common challenge, I am ready," he said.
The statement comes after India issued a strong demarche to Pakistan yesterday and demanded immediate and safe return of the Wing Commander Varthaman, who was taken into custody by Pakistani armed forces following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, the grand daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has asked the Imran Khan government to release the IAF pilot.
Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on Wednesday after he ejected safely from his MiG 21 Bison aircraft but landed across the Line of Control.
(Inputs from PTI)
"If India wants to talk about terrorism then we are ready," Qureshi told a Pakistani news channel.
"Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," Qureshi said. "We are ready for every eventuality. If they give priority to peace, we are ready for peace. If they prioritise dialogue, we are ready for dialogue," the Foreign Minister said.
He also assured the safety of captured Indian Air Force pilot. "I want to assure the Indian public that your pilot is safe here. We are aware of Geneva Convention. The pilot is absolutely safe here, we are taking care of him pretty well, including medicine and food," he said.
On a question that India is expecting immediate and safe return of pilot Abhinandan, Qureshi said Pakistan is ready to think over the issue with an open heart. Qureshi also confirmed the receipt of India's dossier on the Pulwama terror attack
He said that Pakistan is ready to examine dossier given by India with an open heart. "I wish they [India] would have sent this dossier earlier. They attacked first and then sent the dossier. If they would have sent the dossier first and sought Pakistan’s answer there would be no need for an attack,” Qureshi said.
"Let's talk together on the basis of the dossier. I am ready to talk. You want to talk about terrorism, I am ready. You want to talk about peace, I am ready. You want to make it a common challenge, I am ready," he said.
The statement comes after India issued a strong demarche to Pakistan yesterday and demanded immediate and safe return of the Wing Commander Varthaman, who was taken into custody by Pakistani armed forces following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, the grand daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has asked the Imran Khan government to release the IAF pilot.
Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on Wednesday after he ejected safely from his MiG 21 Bison aircraft but landed across the Line of Control.
(Inputs from PTI)
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