A terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on February 14 left at least 33 Indian paramilitary soldiers dead in what was said to be the deadliest attack on Indian government forces there since 2002. The suicide bombing outside Srinagar, claimed by a Pakistan based terrorist group, further increased tensions between the two countries with New Delhi long accusing Islamabad of supporting militants. File photo courtesy of The NEWS Minute.
ANKARA, March 1 (NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU) — New Delhi welcomes Pakistan’s decision to release a captured Indian Air Force pilot and asks Turkey to play its due role in urging Pakistan to “stop cross-border terrorism”, India’s ambassador to Ankara said Thursday.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sanjay Bhattacharyya answered questions on a wide range of issues that have recently made headlines.
“We welcome the initiative of (Pakistan’s) PM to release the Indian pilot. That is what is expected with war combatants,” said Bhattacharyya.
“That is what the Geneva Convention provides for. We are pleased that Pakistan is abiding by its international commitments.”
Welcoming Turkey’s positive but cautious approach to the crisis, Bhattacharyya said India “highly appreciated the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s statement and Turkey’s sentiments”.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday that Ankara is always willing to contribute to easing tensions between Pakistan and India.
On Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s phone call Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking Turkey’s help in diffusing tensions, Bhattacharyya said India and Pakistan have agreements under which they have decided that they will resolve matters bilaterally.
“Turkey of course is a great friend of both India and Pakistan. Turkey is also a country that has herself experienced cross-border terrorism. We expect Turkey to play its due role in urging Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism,” Bhattacharyya said.
Meanwhile Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi told Anadolu Agency that Turkey’s offer of mediation to reduce tension between India and Pakistan will not only help Pakistan and India resolve their standoff but will facilitate the attainment of a durable peace in the region.
“We welcome the Turkish offer of mediation not only in defusing the current situation but also in helping to bring lasting peace and stability to South Asia by helping Pakistan and India sit together and have a meaningful result-oriented conversation on the core issue that afflicts South Asia, and that is Kashmir.
Qazi said Turkey is a “great friend and brother” of Pakistan.
Qazi confirmed the pilot will be freed Friday after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the decision earlier in the day.
Qazi added that Pakistan has always sought to reduce tensions and promote peace in South Asia.
But he cautioned that any miscalculation between the two countries would cost the region “very dearly” and therefore the two sides needed to talk.
— NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU
