NDTV : Feb 28, 2019, 03:24 PM
Pakistan is willing to consider returning the IAF Indian pilot if it leads to "de-escalation", the country's foreign ministry said. There will be "no deal" on the Indian Air Force pilot captured by Pakistan, sources said today, adding that India expected his immediate return."If Pakistan thinks that they have a card to negotiate with, they do not." India was doing everything to get the pilot back, "We want him back".Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian Air Force Indian pilot if it leads to "de-escalation", the country's foreign ministry said. "We are ready to hand over the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman told news agency AFP, attributing the statement to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.There will be "no deal" on the Indian Air Force pilot captured by Pakistan, sources said today, adding that India expected his immediate return.The government would not ask for consular access. "We want him back," sources said."If Pakistan thinks that they have a card to negotiate with, they do not."The sources said India was doing everything to get the pilot back.The pilot was captured yesterday after an aerial combat between Indian and Pakistani fighter planes.