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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomes release of Indian pilot

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomes release of Indian pilot
March 2, 2019
UNITED NATIONS (92 News) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan and asked both countries to keep up the positive momentum and engage in further constructive dialogue. Stephane Dujarric, UN chief spokesperson, said that Antonio Guterres said that his good offices remain available should both sides agree. Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday after his MiG-21 was shot down by Pakistan Air Force when it violated Pakistani airspace.
Abhinandan released unconditionally: FM Shah Mahmood
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Indian pilot Abhinandan has been released unconditionally. Talking to 92 News on Friday, he said that the Indian pilot was kept in a respectable way and sent back in the same fashion. “We have given a message to Indian people that Pakistan is a peaceful country,” he said. The foreign minister said that the Kashmir dispute has to be resolved.
UN, Russia offers to play role as mediator between Pak, India
Earlier, he also said that The Russia offered to become mediator for negotiations between Pakistan and India. He added that the UN secretary general also offered to play role as mediator to resolve the problem of Pakistan and India. Briefing the House about his contacts with different world leaders, the minister said the UN Security General has made an offer for mediation between the two countries. He said Pakistan has no objection to it. He invited the UN Security General to visit Pakistan and the region, and witness himself the situation and play his role to defuse it. He said his Russian counterpart has also offered to play the role of a platform for talks between Pakistan and India. He said Pakistan is ready for talks to deescalate the situation.