CHENNAI: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the release of Abhinandan Varthaman -- the Indian Air Force pilot who was captured last week by Pakistan -- only to say that he does not wish to repeat how he was "returned in two days". Subsequently, he gave examples where the government had secured the release of Indians from other nations. The prime minister said "I don't want to repeat how Abhinandan returned in two days... Tamil Nadu fishermen facing death sentences in Lanka were rescued... On the intervention of the government, the Saudi Prince would soon release 850 Indian prisoners,".
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Abhinandan Varthaman was released on Friday - hours after India demanded his "immediate and safe return". And though Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed the release was a "gesture of peace", New Delhi rubbished it, claiming it was India's right under the Geneva Conventions. Imran Khan's announcement on the release on Thursday was preceded by much behind-the-scene manoeuvring by the international community.
While US President Donald Trump had indicated a role, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed made phone calls to Imran Khan and PM Modi, stressing -- according to a tweet -- "the importance of dealing wisely and giving priority to dialogue and communication". The Saudi Finance Minister flew to Islamabad and the Saudi envoy met PM Modi in Delhi.
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There has been no official comment from the Indian government on these efforts. The 35-year-old pilot was captured last Wednesday after he shot down a Pakistani F16 fighter jet during an aerial dogfight. On his return, he has been hailed as a national hero.