LONDON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th March, 2019) UK Prime Minister Theresa May praised, during her phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, his commitment to reduce the recently escalated tensions between Pakistan and India, Downing Street Spokesperson said in a statement.
Khan announced on Thursday Islamabad's decision to release the Indian wing commander, who was captured by the Pakistani military after an air incident over the disputed Kashmir region. The pilot returned home on Friday.
"The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan today. She welcomed his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan. The leaders discussed the need to address the causes of this conflict. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups, in support of global efforts to combat terrorism," the statement read.
May and Khan reiterated their commitment to good relations between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, the spokesperson added.
This week, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, as the two countries engaged in an air battle and lost jets in it. It followed a strike by the Indian Air Force against what it said was a camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad, considered a terrorist group by India, located on the Pakistani soil across the so-called Line of Control separating the Indian-and Pakistani-controlled parts of the Kashmir region.
The Indian airstrike came after a deadly attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad on the Indian paramilitary police force in Kashmir in mid-February. While India has accused Pakistan of supporting the militants and having a "direct hand" in the incident, Pakistan, in turn, has rejected the allegations, accusing India of being responsible for human rights violations taking place in Kashmir.
