ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hailed the release of captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan.
The Turkish president said that reducing bilateral tensions was in the interest of both the countries.
He said he had spoken to Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi on Pak-India tensions, and that Turkey was ready to play its role in de-escalating the situation.
Tensions between arch rival India and Pakistan reached an all-time high following Indian incursions into Pakistani airspace and subsequent downing of two Indian aircraft by Pakistan Air Force.
Indian warplanes intruded into Pakistani airspace in the dark of night on February 26, however, they turned back swiftly soon after Pakistan Air Force scrambled its fighter jets.
In order make the escape, fleeing Indian jets dropped their payload in a hilly forest area near the northern Pakistani town of Balakot, about 40 km (25 miles) from the Line of Control (LoC).
