UAE MAKES A PITCH FOR PEACE
Pakistan to release captured Indian pilot
The UAE supports positive relations between the two neighbouring countries. There are common historical and cultural ties that bring them together Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
The UAE has urged India and Pakistan to start a process of dialogue to calm tensions as Islamabad said it would release a captured Indian pilot in a gesture of goodwill while reiterating that it was open to talks with New Delhi.
In calls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said a diplomatic solution through talks could be achieved if the two sides set their minds to it.
They should ease tensions by “prioritising dialogue and communication between the parties”, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said. He said the UAE supports positive relations between the two neighbouring countries. There are common historical and cultural ties that bring them together, he added.
Earlier, Pakistan PM Khan announced that his country would release the captured Indian pilot in a move that could help defuse the most serious confrontation in two decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
mumbai — The father of Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan after an air combat, on Thursday said he was proud of his son’s bravery and hoped for his safe return home, as he thanked citizens for their support and good wishes.
Air Marshal (retd) S Varthaman said in a statement his son talked (in purported videos circulating on social media) like a “true soldier” despite being in captivity and that he was praying he would not get tortured in the neighbouring country and return home “safe and sound”.
Pakistan held Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Wednesday after fighter jets of both nations engaged in an air battle in retaliatory strikes.
“Thank you my friends for your concern and wishes. I thank God for his blessings, Abhi is alive, not injured, sound in mind, just look at the way he talked so bravely...a true soldier...we are so proud of him,” his father said.
“I am sure all your hands and blessings are on his head...prayers for his safe return. I pray that he does not get tortured and comes home safe and sound in body and mind,” the veteran IAF personnel further said. He thanked citizens for being with the family in this hour of need. “We draw our strengths from your support and energy,” he added. —
Thank you my friends for your concern and wishes. I thank God for his blessings, Abhi [Abhinandan] is alive, not injured, sound in mind, just look at the way he talked so bravely...a true soldier... we are so proud of him
Air Marshal (retd) S Varthaman, Abhinandan’s father