Turkey ready to do its part for Pakistan, India: Erdoğan

TRABZON

Turkey is ready to do its part to de-escalate tension between Pakistan and India, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on March 2.

“I spoke with the Prime Minister [Imran Khan] of Pakistan the day before yesterday [on Feb. 28]. Turkey has sincere relations with both Pakistan and India. Increasing the tension and adding fuel to the flames have no use for anyone…Turkey will do its part for the tension to be de-escalated,” Erdoğan said during an election rally in the Black Sea province of Trabzon.

Erdoğan also hailed Pakistan's move in handing over an Indian pilot downed in the recent tension, adding that he looks forward to seeing similar steps from India.       

On March 1, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, an Indian pilot who

 became the face of escalating conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors, was  handed over to Indian authorities by Pakistan.       

Varthaman had been held in Pakistan after his aircraft was downed on March 27 in a dogfight with Pakistani jets along the de facto Kashmir border.       

A day later, Khan announced his release in a widely hailed gesture of goodwill.