Toronto, Feb 28 (IBNS): Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama attack on Feb 14 where 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed, the Canadian government on Wednesday urged the two nuclear-armed neighbours to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any 'military escalation'.
“Canada is gravely concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan. We urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further military escalation," said Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement.
“Dialogue between India and Pakistan is needed to identify a durable diplomatic solution and maintain peace and security in the region," said the minister.
"Canada remains steadfast in its support of the global fight against terrorism. We are committed to working with India, Pakistan and our international partners in this effort," read the statement.
Canada calls for de-escalation between #India and #Pakistan https://t.co/nVzGT6QTqg
— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) February 27, 2019
Meanwhile, India has strongly objected to what it says is "Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention".
Earlier, India had admitted that it had lost an aircraft and the pilot had gone missing across the LoC. Videos had surfaced on social media where an injured man in apparently IAF uniform was seen amidst Pakistani military personnel. The IAF pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan.
"It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return," India's ministry of external affairs said in a statement.
In a video released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday evening, the man, who identifies himself as Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan, is seen answering questions for the camera while sipping tea.
He says the Pakistan Army officers have treated him well.
"They are thorough gentlemen. Starting from the captain who rescued me from the mob... the soldiers... and thereafter the officers at the unit to which I was taken. This is what (how) I would expect my army to behave. I am very impressed by the Pakistani Army," he says in the video.
When the official behind the camera in the video asks details about the aircraft he was flying and his mission, he politely declines to answer.
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