New Delhi: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force is not a card Pakistan can use to negotiate with India, and New Delhi expects Islamabad to return him “immediately, safe and unharmed”, a top government source said Thursday.
The fighter pilot who was captured by Pakistan Wednesday is an Indian and there is nothing for New Delhi to negotiate with Islamabad about his return, the sources said.
The stern Indian message to Pakistan came after reports from Islamabad said that Pakistan would decide giving prisoner-of-war status (PoW) to Varthaman in a few days.
“If there is a political will in Pakistan to return him, he can be returned in the next 15 minutes. Status of Abhinandan is clear, politically,” the source said, adding that there is no question of using him as a bargaining chip.
Varthaman was captured by Pakistani forces after his MiG-21 fighter jet was shot and downed during a confrontation with Pakistani F-16s that had entered Indian airspace and dropped bombs near Indian military installations in the Nowshera area of Jammu and Kashmir. Varthaman ejected from his aircraft and landed across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The source also said it is Pakistan that is preparing for a war and not India. India’s focus remains solely counter-terrorism and that is what New Delhi is working at diplomatically.
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Working diplomatic channels
Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is learnt to have spoken with the envoy of the P-5 countries – US, UK, China, Russia and France – or countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council.
“Who closed the airspace? Who closed the Samjhauta Express? We are operating normally,” said the source.
The source also said India has now handed over a dossier to Pakistan, giving minute details of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, its activities, its people and whereabouts. This has been done, the source added, so that Pakistan can take action against the terror outfit immediately.
“We now clearly have given them the evidence. The ball is now in Pakistan’s court. Now we want them to walk the talk. Let the Pakistani PM walk the talk. This is our message today to the international community. The evidences are immediate, credible, verifiable,” the source said.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is believed to have told the media there that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is open to a dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The source said India is open for talks but only when Pakistan creates the right atmospherics and conditions.
Meanwhile, US, UK and France have move the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee to enlist Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. The source said it is hopeful of countries supporting the stand, however, China’s role remains “ambiguous”.
The source also made it clear that India and Pakistan have enough direct channels to communicate and do not need third parties to mediate peace between the neighbours.
US President Donald Trump stated in the morning in Hanoi that he thinks there “reasonably attractive news from Pakistan and India”.
Kartarpur talks
The top government source also confirmed that India is not backtracking from the Kartarpur talks, which is scheduled to take place on 13 March.
“Kartarpur talks are ready … We are ready… It was their proposal. If they want to come, they can come. If they don’t want to come then let them not come,” the source said.
The Kartarpur Corridor is aimed at facilitating the visit of Sikh pilgrims to Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal, Pakistan, which is the final resting place of the founder of the religion, Guru Nanak. This year also marks his 550th birth anniversary.
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The immediate concern should be his physical safety, receiving appropriate medical care for his injuries. Dignified treatment as befits an officer of his seniority.